Petaluma, once known as the “egg basket of the world,” was home to the first, commercially successful egg incubator (developed by Lyman Byce and Isaac Dias and sold through the Petaluma Incubator Company.) That, along with hard work and the introduction of the Single Comb White Leghorn chicken, were the spur to the town’s dominance in the poultry realm.
Sometime after 1916, Bert Kerrigan of the Petaluma Chamber of Commerce promoted the image of Petaluma as the chicken capital of the nation. Among his innovations was the idea to fly over San Francisco and empty two sacks of white feathers at the intersection of 3rd and Market. Imagine the sight of thousands of feathers spinning toward earth like sycamore seeds. To each feather was attached a small card which offered the holder three dozen Petaluma eggs if they came to National Egg Day in Petaluma!
Love all these little gems of fascinating information. I had no idea!!!
Thanks. And I’m enjoying yours so much too.
Spinning toward earth like sycamore seeds. I could envision it.
Is the chicken one of yours?
Yes, I was wondering too, if this were one of your chickens. Interesting to note that marketing folk were doing weird things way back in 1916. Fun bits of information!
Chickens and other birds have such soulful eyes. I want to celebrate National Egg Day.
Interesting promotion, but what a mess!
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out