Museum Artifact: Helene Curtis “Duchess Machineless Oil Wave,” c. 1940s
Made By: Helene Curtis Industries, div. of National Mineral Company, 505 N. Sacramento Blvd. / 4401 W. North Ave., Chicago, IL [Humboldt Park]
Research is underway on this one and a full write-up will be coming soon.
We lived across the street from Helene Curtis. When they had an explosive back about 1962, the force pushed our roof back on the house. Also threw my grandfather to the floor from the sofa. Broke so many windows. Glass filled my bed on the front bedroom.
My grandfather, John Kozel, worked at Helen Curtis in Chicago since they opened their first factory before WW2. He worked there for over 50 years and after retirement, they called him back a few times because nobody else could do what he did. Looking forward to your story!
That’s great, Eric. If you have any photos or additional stories related to your grandfather’s time with Helene Curtis, please email us at contact@madeinchicagomuseum.com and we may include it in the article. –Andrew Clayman, Made In Chicago Museum