CodeMaster Corporation

This week's mug comes from a company called CODEMaster Corporation.  On one side of the mug is the name of the company along with their motto "Software for Healthcare Professionals" and a phone number.  (Yes, I have blurred out the phone number as I am not here to advertise for others.)  On the side of the mug opposite the handle is the phrase "When Code Books Get You Down..." and then a cartoon drawing of a guy being squashed by a large code book labeled "ICD-9-CM"

When hot liquid is added the book and character disappear and show a man at a computer with numbers flying out of it.  Above is the end of the phrase from the side of the mug "Think CodeMaster"

This is one great mug, with a good color change.

DESIGN:  Full, 1++ Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE: Corporate Freebie

SEEK & FIND SUCCESS - LIBERTY RECORDS

This mug is was a mystery for many years.  I just recently (like this week) found one of the logos.  The complete wrap around design shows a grid much like a crossword puzzle or Seek & Find.  The grid is filled with what appears to be random letters.  

When hot liquid is added, most of the grid disappears as it is made with Magic Ink. 

When the design change is complete the letters left clear spell out the message

"we can't spell s ccess without u"

There is no corporate name on the mug except for the manufacturer.  Either way, the mug is in great shape and the design is terrific to watch happen. 

Inside the mug, against one side, there are two logos which I originally thought to be manufacturer logos but The first one says "Liberty" with a picture of the Statue of Liberty.  It is the logo for Liberty Records.  The other logo says "Patriot" with a logo showing the Liberty Bell.  I cannot find any information on this logos so if anyone recognizes it, let me know. 

DESIGN:  Full, 3 Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE: (Unknown)

UNITED WAY - STAR 1994

This week's mug comes from the United Way and was part of their campaign to raise money for charity.  The main side of the mug shows "The STAR 1994" above the United Way Logo.

On the other side of the mug is the phrase "The Magic of Giving" in a stylized font. 

On the side of the mug opposite the handle is a large rectangle of dark blue, with speckles of stars and dots.  

When hot liquid is added, the large rectangle clears showing a large stylized star, obviously part of the "STAR campaign."  The color change is near complete and quick.  The 20 year old design is also in great shape.  

DESIGN:  Full, 3+ Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE: Charity

FOCUS TECHNOLOGY

This mug is from a small company called "Focus Technologies."  The main side of the mug has a drawing of a computer monitor and keyboard.  The monitor is a dark square, though this mug does have some UV damage making part of the screen clear and the design below visible.  

On the back of the mug is line: 

THE ANSWER TO YOUR DATA PROCESSING PERSONNEL NEEDS. 

When hot liquid is aded to the mug, the monitor screen clears to show the company logo and name 'Focus Technologies' and the phrase "Linking People with Technology."

Though I can find little on this company, this is easily identified as a corporate freebie given to either contact employees or companies who contracted with Focus.  There is the UV damage, but the color change is still pretty good. The style of the keyboard and monitor seems to place this about the mid 1990s.

DESIGN:  1+ Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE: Corporate Freebie

BP Oil

This mug comes from BP Oil.  The mug is standard in shape, with the BP Oil Logo in yellow on a field of green (which are their trademark colors).  

On the other side is a rectangle of dark brown.  

When hot liquid is added, the dark brown rectangle clears to show the phase "Change Today To Be Better Than Yesterday."  It is unclear as to whether this mug was a corporate freebie (either to investors, employees or vendors) or whether it was sold in their retail stores.  The change is moderate, but complete and the mug is in good condition.

DESIGN:  Full, 1+ Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE: Unknown

JOE BOXER UNDERWEAR

This mug comes from iconic underwear manufacturer Joe Boxer, whose underwear is currently sold exclusively at Sears and Kmart.  The Smiley Face logo with the tongue out, as seen above, is part of the Joe Boxer Logo and trademark.  

On the reverse is a dark rectangle with the words JOE BOXER TIME! in white.  (The words Joe Boxer are in the company's logo font.

When hot liquid is added, the rectangle clears to add the phrase "TIME TO CHANGE YOUR UNDERWEAR!" answering the unspoken question, "What is Joe Boxer Time?'"  The mug is in great shape, and color change is quick.

It's hard to imagine an underwear company giving out these mugs as employee incentives and little is known as to the actual history of the mug.  One site I went to suggested that the mug might have been part of a retail 'gift' combo, underwear and coffee cup - perfect for gift giving.

DESIGN:  1+ Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE: Retail

DOCTOR WHO 1989

This is, perhaps, one of the best Magic Mugs I have in my collection.  It is from the BBC and was created loNg before the current Dr. Who series were on the air.  The mug is clean and bright, with the well known Dr. Who Logo on the front with the copyright date 1989 and BBC trademark just below it.  (For those not in the know, 1989 was the last year of the original set of Dr. Who Series.) 

On the back is the image of the TARDIS in blue, also with the copyright date 1989 and BBC Trademark below it.  

When hot liquid is added, the TARDIS, the date and BBC trademark totally disappear. For an older mug, this is a beautiful transformation! (Sadly, it does not make that 'TARDIS' noise when it disappears!)  And of course, it's one of my favorites.  

DESIGN:  1 Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE: Retail

Consolidated - Biron Division

This mug comes  from Biron, Wisconsin.  It is from Consolidated Paper and shows one of the more standard uses of Thermochromatic Ink that I've found.  On the main side, the mug has the company script logo above the division name "Biron Division"

On the back is the phrase "WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFETY?" above a cartoon of a man wearing a hard hat.  When hot liquid is added to the mug, the hard hat clears to show the phrase "I AM!"  

This is a standard sized mug and the color change works great!  

DESIGN:  2 Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE: Corporate Freebie

Consolidated - Wisconsin Rapids Division

This mug comes all the way from Wisonsin Rapids, Wisconsin.  It is from Consolidated Paper and is one of the more interesting uses of Thermochromatic Ink that I've found.  The mug has a wrap around design of elephants and on the main side is the company name "Consolidated" in its logo script, and beneath that, "Wisconsin Rapids Division".  

On the other side is a dark square with the word "REMEMBER:" above it, and "YOU ALWAYS THINK" beside it.  Now this is where the Magic Ink really comes into play.  When hot liquid is added and the rectangle turns clear "You Always Think" now becomes THREE Safety Phrases:

YOU CAN CONTROL INJURIES!

ALWAYS REMIND OTHERS!

THINK BEFORE EVERY MOVE! 

This is a great use of the Magic Ink and a terrific mug in the collection! 

DESIGN:  Full, 3+ Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color

TYPE: Corporate Incentive

Rice Eye Clinic

This mug comes from a business in Clarkesville and Springfield, Tennessee. Rice Eye Clinic probably gave these out to customers.  I can't find any information on them, so I expect they've closed.  On the main side of the mug, you can see their logo and the advertising "Specializing in 'Small Incision' Cataract Surgery" above the addresses of two locations.

On the man side is a large drawing of an eye with a dark eyebrow.  Above the drawing is the line "Restoring Your Clear Vision." 

When hot liquid is added to the cup, the eyebrow clears to show the line 'With an Implant" and the center of the eye clears to show the iris.    

DESIGN:  Full, 1+ Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color

TYPE: Corporate Freebie

Varilux Lenses from Duffens Optical

This is a nice mug from an optical supply company named Duffens Optical. On the main side is a drawing of a set of spectacles with bifocal lenses.  Both bifocal lenses have a large X over them.  Below the drawing is a dark rectangle.

On the reverse of the mug is a stylized design of an eye with 'Naturally COMFORTable' above it.  Below is the name DUFFENS Optical and the phrae "Helping Professionals Deliver Their Best."

When hot liquid is added, both the bifocals and the Xs clear as well as the rectangle.  Behind the rectangle the phrase "VARILUX COMFORT" is visible.  

Great color change and a great design.  This is one of the few mugs with more than one color thermochromatic ink.  The bifocal design is a dark brown, and the Xs and rectangle are a near  black color.  

DESIGN:  1 Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 2 Color
TYPE: Corporate Freebie

Bounty Microwave Paper Towels

This week's mug comes from a well known company, Bounty Paper Towels. The mug is designed well and advertises its product, Microwave Bounty, extremely well.  On the Main side of the mug is a drawing of a microwave oven with a digital timer.  The door is a dark square. 

On the back of the mug is a drawing of Bounty microwave in its packaging.  

When hot liquids are added, the door of the microwave clears and shows the phrase "Bounty Microwave ...Makes a Difference You Can Taste."

The color change is quick and near complete. A great mug and a great use of the Magic Ink. Not sure how it happened, but I have two of these great mugs in my collection! 

DESIGN:  Full, 1+ Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE: Retail

Dole

This would be a great Magic Mug if it weren't for the damage.  As you can see in all three pictures, the Thermochromatic Ink has been rendered nearly useless by exposure to UV Light and/or Microwaves.  Originally opaque, it would have shown a wonderful 3 sided wraparound design of silhouetted tropical fruit on a cream background. 

After hot liquid is added, the silhouetted fruit design would turn clear showing the DOLE label on two sides.

I really would have loved to see this mug when it was new to see the change happen.  As always, I still enjoy these mugs as a good design, a collectible for my collection and, as always, a great example of what happens when Magic Mugs are put in a microwave oven.


DESIGN:  Full, 3 Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE: Retail

Viskazide Rx Medicine

This mug is from a pharmaceutical company and advertises the medicine 'Viskazide.'  Viskazide is a medicine for the treatment of Hypertensive Disorder.  On the main side is a large dark rectangle with the medicine's name 'viskazide."  Below this title are the two medicines that make up Viskazide, pindolol and hydrochlorothiazide. This mug was probably a giveaway to doctor's offices and hospitals as a way to get the name of the medicine out to the medical community. 

On the non-changing side of the mug, there is the medicine's name again, above the phrase "One Tablet - Once A Day*"  At the bottom, in small print,  the caveat "Once maintenance has been established."

Though the dark rectancle is not as opaque as it could be, when hot liquid is added the rectangle does clear nicely, showing a man in a suit, carrying a briefcase and riding along on a skateboard.  Also now visible is the descriptive: "FOR HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS ON THE GO."

This is a textbook case of a good use of Thermochromatic ink.  The design hides enough to make you wonder, and is complete enough to really make you remember it.  A really great mug in the collection. 

DESIGN:  Full, 1+ Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE: Corporate Freebie

Rep Express

This mug comes from a company named Rep Express.  There is a train, with Rep Express written on the engine, and names written on the train cars. (Unfamiliar with the company, it is not clear if the names are related companies or reps within the company.) They are Cal Rogers, Mark Heidmann, Lee Pearson, Mike Burky and Spike Jones.  In the center of the design is a large irregular design above the word "DISCOVER."

It is also not clear as to the background of Rep Express, but it may just be that this mug was used to sell other magic advertising mugs.  This is evident when the change takes place. 

Once hot beverages are added, the large irregular area clears to show "The magic of HOUZE."  (Houze is a recognized name of Magic Ink and Magic mugs.) The change on this mug is a bit vague, not as clear as others I have and have seen, but it's still a nice mug.  

DESIGN:  1 Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE: Advertising