Inventor Name
Carvel, Thomas
Repository
National Museum of American History
Smithsonian Institution
Archives Center
P.O. Box 37012
MRC 601/Room 1100
Washington, DC 20013-7012
202-633-3270
http://americanhistory.si.edu/archives
Physical Description
9 cubic ft.
Summary
Thomas Andreas Carvelas was born in Athanassos, Greece, and his family immigrated to the U.S. in 1910. He began an ice cream business in 1934 with a single vending trailer, then sold ice cream from a mobile vehicle on the carnival circuit. Carvel is noted for developing a highly successful system of franchising for stores, as well as his personal involvement in creating radio and television commercials for his stores. Photographs: Subjects include conventions, promotional products and events, Carvel stores and employees, vending vehicles, equipment production facilities, equipment, machinery, display cases, and signs. The records include Tom Carvel's personal papers, company financial records, education information for Carvel franchise owners, employee magazines, publicity materials, advertising campaign materials, operating procedure manuals, promotional items, audiotaped radio interviews with Tom Carvel, store and equipment records, patent records, including information on Carvel's mobile ice cream vending machines, blueprint drawings for vending vehicles, equipment order catalogs, store address information, Dugan's Bakery and Hubie Burger franchise information (Carvel's other restaurant ventures), and franchise information from non-Carvel restaurant chains; and a large number of photographs.
Finding Aid
http://amhistory.si.edu/archives/d7488.htm