Bayle's Salted Peanuts Scoop

Bayle's Salted Peanuts Scoop

Approximately 7" overall
Opening: 3" x 5"
Circa: 1909-1910

This was an ultra rare find. I have spent weeks doing extensive research on this piece and still have some questions that are unanswered. There is a possible connection to the invention of peanut butter.. read on...

My journey started when I found an image of a 5 cent wooden standing peanut vending machine. On the side it says "Bayle's Salted Peanuts St Louis", similar to what is on the scoop. For 5 cents you received a box of Peanuts. This machine has 2 versions and is associated with the George E Bayle Co. I found an antique gum and peanut vending machine museum run by Jeff Scott. He offered me the images from "Silent Salesmen Too" which is a book about vending machines. He also has in his collection a gumball size peanut vender that is associated with George E Bayle Co. Additionally there is a similar Climax branded one that is associated with George E Bayle Co. as well.

I contacted the Missouri Historical Society and they provided me with several directory listings as well as some newspaper articles from as early as the 1880s. Now this is where it gets interesting and confusing.

Most people think that George Washington Carver invented peanut butter..he did not. In 1895 Dr. John Harvey Kellogg (the creator of Kellogg’s cereal) patented a process for creating peanut butter from raw peanuts. He marketed it as a nutritious protein substitute for people who could hardly chew on solid food. HOWEVER there is evidence and many experts believe that a year before the credit should go to George A Bayle. Bayle had several food companies operating in the St Louis area that sold Peanuts, crackers, pretzels, chips and later peanut butter.

"1904 - Bayle Food Products took its new peanut butter to the 1904 St. Louis World Fair. It was a big success, selling out in three days at a penny-a-sample, earning a profit of $705.11. Soon grocers across America were selling bulk peanut butter in large wooden tubs to satisfy their customers' demand."

I have not figured out if George A Bayle and George E Bayle were related? There is several reasons why I think they may be..the area(St Louis), the industry(peanuts and crackers), the time frame(1880s to 1910 or so) and obviously the names. There is several pieces showing that George E Bayle at one time, worked for one of George A Bayle's companies.

My journey continues on...

I've met some wonderful people along the way including a few authors that were very friendly and helpful. I would like to thank:

Jeff Scott who has the vending museum. I'll link in comments.

Author Jon Krampner who wrote the book "Creamy and Crunchy, an informal history of peanut butter, the All- American Food"(I ordered a copy to read).

Culinary historian and peanut butter expert Suzanne Corbett..she has wrote several articles and books about peanut butter and has dug into the George A Bayle' company history..she is currently working on a new project that includes St Louis history and the Bayle company. She has promised to let me know if she comes across any George E references.

I'd also like to thank our Kera for helping me with some of my early searches and listening to my ideas.

And lastly the Missouri Historical Society for all their directory listings and newspaper excerpts they quickly provided me.