The question remains: are these celluloid objects pre-prohibition or post-prohibition combs? Marks on one comb do little to shed light on the date, but do provide more background. Neither the 1935 donation from the Celluloid Corporation nor the 2006 donation specify the dates the comb were manufactured. In 1912 the number of breweries in America had decreased to 1,506, and in that same year the Albany Billiard Company switched to Bakelite, a synthetic plastic resin. Like America’s breweries leading up to prohibition, celluloid began to decrease in popularity as the 20th century pushed onward. Having addressed the why (for the beer's presentation) and the how (celluloid) of the foam scraper, the when is a bit trickier. The "noble experiment" or national prohibition of alcohol, generally listed as 1920–1933 (though the outlawing of beer came early to some states as well as the District of Columbia-in 1917-prior to 1920) was not long after. One of the largest producers was the Celluloid Corporation.ĭuring that time, America saw the largest proliferation of breweries in its history with 4,131 in 1873, second only to today (4,144 in December 2015). Plant-based, the material was used to make billiard balls, pocket calendars, napkin rings, collars, brushes, letter openers, rulers, and mirror backs, and of course beer combs or foam scrapers. These tools are all made from celluloid, a material with an interesting history.Ĭelluloid experienced popularity during a unique time in American beer history, used extensively from the mid-19th into the early 20th century. Whatever you call them, today these tools are made of stainless steel and their popularity has decreased to the point where no brewery in our nation's capital uses them when pouring.īelow you will see three beer combs, though they are not made of ivory as your eyes might lead you to believe. You might know this item by another name-foam scraper, foam flipper, or head cutter.
When beer is poured and beheaded, it is done with a tool known as a beer comb. She returns the long, slender tool to the jar where it sits waiting for the next beer to be beheaded. Because she wants your beverage level with the rim of your glass, she beheads it with her comb. From a water-filled jar sitting behind the bar, she takes out her tool-a beer comb. Your bartender pours beer into your mug and it begins to foam over. In a moment, the rising head is lopped off.
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