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