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

TWA - More Leg Room

This weeks mug comes from a long well-known airline TWA.  This mug is from approximately the late 1980s to the early 1990s and advertises the expanded leg room avilable on most TWA flights.  

The full 3 sided mug shows airline seating with the title "THE MOST LEGROOM AT NO EXTRA COST"

Below this is the phrase "TWA, The most comfortable way to fly!"

This mug is slightly microwave damaged and the change doesn't happen very quickly, but you can see below the effect of adding hot liquid.  Every other seat in the cabin disappears giving the visual of more legroom due to wider seating.  

DESIGN:  Full, 3+ Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color

TYPE: Corporate Freebie

AVON - Olympic Woman

This week's mug is from another nationally known company, namely AVON.  In honor of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, AVON created this magic mug for their customers.  The design features a female athlete to one side, and a blue field with a stylized Olympic Torch in the background. To the upper left is a dark square.

At the bottom of the blue field is the phrase "AVON - Cultural Olympic Sponsor.  

When hot liquid is added, the square turns clear, showing their logo of "The Olympic Woman, Atlanta 1996"

This is a great mug, and rare considering the limited number of mugs made by AVON. 

Also in great condition. 

DESIGN:  2 Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE: Retail