Wienermobile facts for kids
Imagine a giant hot dog on wheels! That's exactly what the Wienermobile is. These cool vehicles, shaped like a hot dog in a bun, are used by the company Oscar Mayer to promote their products across the United States. The very first Wienermobile was created way back in 1936 by Carl G. Mayer, who was Oscar Mayer's nephew.
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History of the Wienermobile
The Wienermobile has changed a lot since Carl Mayer built the first one in 1936. That first vehicle was actually taken apart in the 1940s to help the US Army during World War II. But don't worry, new ones were built!
In the 1950s, Oscar Mayer and the Gerstenslager Company made several new Wienermobiles. They used parts from Dodge cars or Willys Jeeps. One of these older models is now on display at the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan. These Wienermobiles were driven by someone called "Little Oscar," who would visit stores, schools, and even hospitals. They also took part in fun parades and festivals.
A new design came out in 1969. These Wienermobiles were built on a Chevrolet motor home base and even had cool Ford Thunderbird taillights. This 1969 model was special because it was the first Wienermobile to travel outside the United States!
In 1988, Oscar Mayer had six new Wienermobiles built. These were designed by a famous industrial designer named Brooks Stevens. They used converted Chevrolet van parts.
The Wienermobile grew even bigger in 1995. This version was about 27 feet long and 11 feet tall! It also had larger windows that could open, which was a new feature.
By 2004, the Wienermobile was super high-tech. It had a voice-activated GPS navigation device to help drivers find their way. It also had a special horn that could play the famous Wiener Jingle in 21 different music styles, like Cajun or Rap!
Over the years, different companies built the Wienermobiles using various car parts. For example, some used Isuzu Elf or GMC W-series chassis. The engines also changed, from V6 engines to powerful V8 engines.
In 2017, Oscar Mayer introduced even more fun hot-dog-themed vehicles. These included the WienerCycle (a hot dog motorcycle), the WienerRover (a small hot dog vehicle), and even a WienerDrone (a hot dog drone)!
Who Drives the Wienermobile?
There are six Wienermobiles traveling around the United States at any time. The people who drive these amazing vehicles are called The Hotdoggers. Their main job is to meet and greet people all over the country.
A Hotdogger gets to do many fun things. They share photos and videos on social media, telling everyone about their adventures. They also answer questions about the Wienermobile and the Oscar Mayer brand. A common question they get is if there's a bathroom inside (the answer is no!). They also hand out cool free stuff to people they meet.
To become a Hotdogger, you need to be a college senior who is about to graduate. Oscar Mayer looks for students who have studied things like public relations, journalism, or marketing. It's a very popular job! In 2018, about 7,000 people applied to be Hotdoggers. Since each Wienermobile has two Hotdoggers, only 12 people are chosen each year for this exciting one-year assignment.
Wienermobile Toys and Models
Because the Wienermobile is so famous, many toys and small models of it have been made over the years. You might have even seen a Hot Wheels version of the Wienermobile!
Interesting Wienermobile Moments
The Wienermobile has had a few memorable moments on the road:
- In June 2007, a Wienermobile with the license plate "YUMMY" was stopped by a police officer in Arizona. The officer thought the license plate was stolen! It turned out Oscar Mayer had gotten a replacement plate after the original was stolen, but they hadn't told the police. The Wienermobile was quickly released once the mistake was cleared up.
- On July 17, 2009, a Wienermobile had a little accident in Wisconsin. The driver was trying to turn around in a driveway but accidentally pressed the gas pedal instead of the brake. The Wienermobile ended up getting stuck under a house and damaged its deck!
- On January 26, 2020, a Wienermobile was pulled over by a sheriff's deputy in Wisconsin. The driver received a warning for not moving over a lane when passing an emergency vehicle that had its lights on.
