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| An example of a aluminum table- top Christmas tree by EverySpoon. |
Aluminum Christmas trees were first commercially manufactured sometime around 1955, remained popular into the 1960s, and were manufactured into the 1970s. The trees were first manufactured by Modern Coatings, Inc. of Chicago. Between 1959 and 1969, the bulk of aluminum Christmas trees were produced in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, by the Aluminum Specialty Company; in that decade the company produced more than one million aluminum trees. At the time they were produced in Manitowoc the trees, including the company's flagship product the "Evergleam", retailed for $25 and wholesaled for $11.25.
The first aluminum trees could not be illuminated in the manner traditional for natural Christmas trees or other artificial trees. Fire safety concerns prevented lights from being strung through the tree's branches; draping electric lights through an aluminum tree could cause a short circuit. The common method of illumination was a floor-based "color wheel" which was placed under the tree. The color wheel featured various colored segments on a clear plastic wheel; when the wheel rotated a light shone through the clear plastic casting an array of colors throughout the tree's metallic branches. Sometimes this spectacle was enhanced by a rotating Christmas tree stand.
1950s Ornament Types Hung on Artificial Trees:
- Shiny Bright baubles: with 'Saturn Rings', glitter stars, snowcap tops, greetings (Silent Night, and Merry Christmas), reflector balls, ombre color blends, bells, pinecones, tear drop shapes, atomic shapes, space age themes
- Silver tinsel floss
- Shredded snow or flocking - This was asbestos so we don't use that today, use paper folks.
- Color wheel alternative to string lighting for an Aluminum Christmas tree
- Bubble Lights
- Plastic novelty ornaments were also popular
- Spike or spear shaped glass tree topper made by Shiny Bright too
- General Electric large bulbs
Very Helpful Youtube Video:
- Making the vintage Christmas tree of my dreams by Kayla Payne - Wow. This lady alters two trees to create an authentic looking tree with fewer branches.
- The Wellness Homesteader shares information about 1950s Christmas
- Man collects vintage aluminum trees by KPRC 2 Click2Houston
- The "Deadly" Bubble Christmas Light Explained by Silver Cymbal
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| Examples of ornaments available from the Shiny Bright company in 1958. These glass ornaments came in brilliant colors and were a cheerful addition to any Christmas tree in America. |
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| Shiny Bright ornaments sold in catalogues and the "Wishbook" by Sears in 1956. Shiny Bright garlands and novelty ornaments are also illustrated here: boot, stars, snowmen, trees, reindeer, birds Santa figures, bells etc... |
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