By Andrew Edwards
Staff Writer
The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile made a stop at the Millbrook Wal-Mart on Friday afternoon, giving onlookers the chance to take photos with the iconic vehicle.
The mobile has a long and rich history, dating back to 1936, when Carl Mayer, nephew of the company’s founder, came up with the idea of a 13-foot metal hot dog on wheels to transport the company spokesperson. General Body Company of Chicago, Illinois, designed the first Wienermobile, which featured open cockpits in the center and rear. It was a common sight on the streets of Chicago as it promoted Oscar Mayer “German-style Wieners.”
A turning point for the vehicle took place in 2000, when Oscar Mayer introduced two new, updated Wienermobile vehicles. These new models built upon the 1995 design featuring GPS Navigational systems, more powerful engines, anti-lock brakes, and state-of-the-art audio and visual centers. With the license plates “WNRMBLE” and “IWSHIWR”, these jumbo dogs of the Wienermobile fleet toured the United States from 2000-2004.
Flash forward to 2021, and the exterior design of the mobile still resembles the original from over 80 years ago. The interior of the vehicle has a low ceiling, but enough room to still adequately stand. Inside, there are six seats, including the diver and passenger, decked with a flat screen TV and drawers for storage. Perhaps the most notable feature of the wienermobile was the ceiling, which depicted clouds floating high in the sky.
But what makes the mobile go are the “hotdoggers” behind the wheel. The position is a 1-year, paid job that includes multi-state travel. The company looks for qualified graduating college seniors who are outgoing, creative, friendly, enthusiastic.
When the wienermobile rolled into the Millbrook Wal-Mart parking lot on Friday afternoon, it was hotdogger team 33 that was there to greet visitors.
Maggie Thomas and Molly Swindall, members of team 33, have been hot on the trail the past couple of days, travelling from Augusta, GA to Alabama.
Their nicknames, “Mustard Mags” and “Mayochup Molly” help to identify them in their role as employees of Oscar Mayer.
“It’s been great working for Oscar Meyer. I get to travel the county and see places that I may never get the opportunity to otherwise,” Thomas said.
The Hotdoggers spend a year traveling across the country making promotional appearances and attending everything from grocery store grand openings to parades, festivals, and sporting events.
Thomas and Swindall handed out coupons and “wiener whistles”, which were first developed in 1951. The whistle was included in packages of Oscar Mayer Wieners in 1958.
There still a chance to catch team 33 if you missed them in Millbrook. They’ll be in the Prattville Wal-Mart parking lot from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. today. The events are free and people encouraged to stop by and hear about the history behind the iconic vehicle.
