Author Gerald Witcher is working on a new book about Marble King.

For three-quarters of a century, Marble King, the only remaining American marble manufacturer, has been creating some of the most colorful, durable, and widely used marbles in the world. It recently celebrated its success with the local community and the employees who contributed to its rise as a world-class manufacturer in honor of its 75th anniversary.

Founded in 1949 by Berry Pink and Sellers Peltier, Marble King opened in St. Marys, West Virginia. After a fire destroyed the factory, Marble King was moved to Paden City by then manager and eventual owner, Roger Howdyshell. An innovator, Howdyshell made several contributions to the marble industry and accelerated Marble King’s popularity by manufacturing the well-known Japanese Cat’s Eye marble. Today, at full capacity, Marble King can manufacture one million marbles a day.

In an insightful conversation with Gerald Witcher, author and marble historian, we discussed the evolution of the marble business. Mr. Witcher, who is currently working on a book about Marble King, explained how the marble business has grown and how many marble manufactures have fallen by the wayside over the years. The following is a summary of that conversation.

Marbles were incredibly popular in the 1940s, and the mid-20th century saw major events and tournaments built around the game. One of the most famous tournaments was held in the 1940 in New York City, organized by original owner Berry Pink. This tournament was a big deal, attracting between 300,000 to 500,000 kids from across the country, all competing for 66 spotS in the finals. The event was held on the World’s Fairground and the competition lasted for three days. Mr. Pink, a sponsor of the event, invested around $10,000, a significant sum at the time to fund the tournament. He also covered all the expenses for the final 66 kids who made it to the event in New York including accommodations and meals; the only thing the kids had to do was get themselves to the city.

Another key point of our conversation focused on the increasing value of marbles, particularly older ones. Mr. Witcher explained that while marbles are not stamped, dated or labeled, their value has risen significantly in recent years. Collectors need a sharp eye and deep knowledge to identify the characteristics that can make certain marbles worth thousands of dollars.

Mr. Witcher went on to tell an interesting story concerning the first significant order Marble King received was from General Foods, which requested marbles wrapped in cellophane to be placed in Post Toasties cereal boxes. The order was for 100 million marbles, and it marked a pivotal moment in the company’s history. The order was to be packed in 60-pound boxes with 5000 marbles per case which equaled 20,000 sixty-pound boxes or 600 tons of glass in one order!

Mr. Pink’s most notable contributions include his work with marbles, but his innovations went far beyond that. One of his early inventions was a creative solution for automobile safety – a system to serve as early taillights before they were standard. His design involved a plate with marbles embedded in it, which could be attached to the back of a car. The concept was that the marbles, when illuminated by headlights from behind, would reflect light and serve as an early form of taillights, improving visibility and safety for drivers. Like Elon Musk today, Mr. Pink was a multidisciplinary entrepreneur. He was part inventor, part businessman, interested in developing technologies that would have far reaching impacts.

During the 1940s, there were around 35 marble manufacturers across the US, but a combination of factors including the rise of Japanese imports, particularly the popular cat’s-eye marble and the increasing cost of production in the US, led to many of these companies going out of business. The Japanese marbles, with their distinctive designs and cheaper production costs became a major competitor. In response many US manufacturers couldn’t keep up and as a result the industry began to shrink.

However, Marble King managed to survive and even thrive. The company’s resilience is attributed to its focus on quality and its strategic moves. When other marble companies were failing Beri Fox, current President of Marble King and her father the late Roger Howdyshell, recognized the opportunity to keep marble production in the US and prevent their machinery from being lost to overseas competition. They would often purchase the machines from failing companies, rescuing them from being shipped abroad to be used by competitors, particularly in places like Japan where manufacturing costs were much lower. By acquiring the equipment and maintaining control over production they ensured that the legacy of American made marbles would continue.

Marbles may not be as popular today due to the rise of digital games and cell phones, but the tradition still carries on and marbles are still enjoyed by kids who appreciate the simple tactile nature of the game. The heyday of marble tournaments like the one in New York is a great reminder of how games and pastimes evolve but also how certain games can remain cherished through generations.

Marble King has certainly evolved with the times, adapting its business model to serve a variety of industries beyond the traditional game of marbles. As of today, around 25% of Marble Kings business is focused on gaming marbles, but the company has diversified its product lines and now serves a much broader range of markets which include fish hatcheries, the wine industry, mining and blasting. Marbles continue to be used in a variety of other sectors as well including decorative purposes, craft projects and home improvement. The smooth attractive finish of marbles makes them desirable for everything from flooring to garden decorations.

Today, Marble King holds the distinction of being the longest continuously running marble company in the United states after many of its competitors folded. “Our 75th anniversary is an important milestone in Marble King’s history,” said President Beri Fox. “From our humble beginnings in St. Marys to becoming a globally recognized brand, we’ve continued to expand the way the world looks at marbles. No longer just for entertainment, marbles have important industrial and architectural applications as well. We’re incredibly proud of our employees and their long-standing contributions to making our community – and our state a better place.”