Denny's Til Dawn

In the 1980's and 1990's Denny's had several magic mugs for retail purchase as well as premiums.  Taking a break from Christmas mugs, here is Denny's "Til Dawn' mug, which was used to promote their 24 hour restaurants.   The right side of the mug shows the iconic Denny's mug and the stylized 'Til Dawn' logo used in the 24/7 campaign. 

On the left side of the mug is a dark oval with a tired face and sleepy eyes.   (The oval on this mug is not as dark as it should be due to UV, Microwave damage, or general use.)

When  hot liquid is added the tired sleepy face clears to show a happy, smiling face with rosy cheeks, ready to face the dawn.  Around the outside of the face are the words "Denny's  Til Dawn"

The color change is quick and near complete, even though the color is more transparent at the beginning which would indicate damage to the Thermochromatic Ink.  

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

Denny's Christmas - Snowman

This is the second in the Denny's restaurant Christmas Series.  On the right side of the mug is the iconic Denny's logo. 

On the left side, there is a colorful snowy scene with a snowman's sillhouette, complete with sticks for arms, pipe and stove pipe hat. 

 

When hot liquid is added, the snowman clears to show a puddle with the sticks, pipe and hat floating in it, along with the words "I would have preferred something cold."

The color change is great, and the mix of graphics is a great  use of the magic ink. 

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

Denny's Christmas - Reindeer

Denny's restaurants sold several magic mugs in the mid to late 1980s.  For the next 4 weeks, I'm going to list one of each of a set of 4 of these mugs.

On the right side of this mug is the iconic Denny's  Logo. 

 

 On the left side of the mug is a reindeer on a snowy field of blue.

When hot liquid is added, the reindeer's brown color clears to reveal green antlers, bright holiday lights around his neck and Rudolph's glowing red nose! The color change is quick and near complete.


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

F-117A Radar #2

This week's mug comes from the military once again.  This F-117A mug is similar to another F-117A mug  I posted just a few short weeks ago.  On the left side of the mug is a large dark area bordered by blue sky and white clouds. 

On the right side of the mug is a shadow of the plane on a drawing of a radar. 

When hot liquid is added to the mug, the large dark area clears to reveal the F-117A in flight.

And the shadow on the radar clears to show a radar screen with nothing on it.

DESIGN:  2 Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE: Retail / Promotional

US Space Shuttle

This is another of my favorite mugs. On the left side of the mug it shows the US Space Shuttle on it's launching pad against a blue sky.

On the right is the well known logo for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

When hot liquid is added to the mug, the launching pad and gantry disappear revealing the shuttle just lifting off, it's rockets bright and clouds of smoke erupting as it lifts off.

The color change is good, and the mug is in great condition.


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

RCC Los Angeles

This week's mug is from the Rail Construction Corporation, a subsidiary of the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission.  Yes, a long name for a single mug.  On the right side of the mug is the Logo for the RCC along with its long title. There is also the logo for the LACTC. 

On the left side of the mug is a large dark cloud shape in the middle of which you can just about make out the shape of a car.

When hot liquid is added, the entire dark area clears to reveal a light rail train above which is the phrase "The Way is Clear!"  The mug was released to coincide with the construction and opening of the Los Angeles Subway System (The Blue Line) in 1990.

 The color change is about average, but does clear enough to show the change in full.  A great mug and a piece of LA History!

DESIGN:  1+ sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE: Promotional

Shadow Puppets

This weeks mug is another retail purchase, given to me as a gift many years ago.  When cold, the mug appears to be many sets of hands in odd positions.  If you look closely there are some dark areas beside each set of hands.

When hot liquid is added and the mug warms up, the dark areas clear to reveal shadow puppets matched to each set of hands.  This mug is in mint condition and the color change is fast and complete.  

There are very few black magic mugs, but this one is a beautiful use of both design and color.  A great addition to the collection.

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