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Does anyone know if Hershey (the candy maker) owned Jennings at one time? I have a machine that says the Hershey manufacturing division in 1964.

Can anyone enlighten us

Purchased from the estate of O D Jennings in 1954 and formed into a new corp. Jennings & Co. was merged with Hershey MFG Co in 1957. Hershey based in Illinois and not tied to the chocolate candy co. in Pennsylvania ran the Jennings Div making gaming equipment as well as vending machines, photo equipment and government service work. Over 80% of the companies revenue was from the Jennings Division. In 1960 the company was sold again to American Machine Co which continued to make Jennings slots. Then John and Tony Mills of Mills Novelty family bought both Jennings and Mills slot rights to form the TJM Corp which stood for T--Tony, J-- John, M--Mills. Not 100% sure but I hear Tom Krahl bought the rights to TJM Corp but never did anything after and since his passing who knows where it all stands.

Mechanic!
Interesting as I had never heard about the Tom Krahl link to the final days of TJM Corporation and in speaking with Tom before his death talking about "The Good Old Days" of slot machine collecting, Etc. it never came up but it would not surprise me as Tom did buy out a lot of companies like he bought out all the parts and inventory of Aancient Slots in Las Vegas when they closed!
He was a Great Guy and talking to him and Ralph is always missed!
I believe all his inventory and stock is now in the hands of Steve Squires in San Mateo, he may know if Tom had any connection with TJM Corp!
TJM had a business location in Reno/Sparks in the late 80's and I had gone there many times to try to pickup old manuals, Etc. from them until they closed!
MONTI

Monti Were you at Toms when he was married to Holly? I used to go over to the house a lot and buy stuff out of the garage, back in the beginning. Miss Tom !! What is Ralph doing? Ralph was supposed to go help Steve set up the parts that he got from Tom's estate.

mechanic wrote:Monti Were you at Toms when he was married to Holly? I used to go over to the house a lot and buy stuff out of the garage, back in the beginning. Miss Tom !! What is Ralph doing? Ralph was supposed to go help Steve set up the parts that he got from Tom's estate.

No, being on the west coast Northern Nevada area I only met Tom a couple of times but we spoke often on the phone as we had mutual friends in the hobby in the Northern Nevada Lake Tahoe area!
My dear friend Elmer Eberhard or possibly Jim Brockelsby, don't remember which one, turned me on to Tom in the late 80's and I dealt with him up until his death!
As for Ralph, lost touch with him shortly after Tom's passing even though Ralph did try to help out and keep things going afterward!
As for his working with Steve after the purchase I am not aware of that!
Yes, I miss all the old timers in the hobby that have gone to the "Big Casino" in the sky!
Bona Fortuna!
MONTI

All of the seasoned slot veterans on here are incredibly interesting to read your stories of the everyday activities that must have occurred so often over the years. I love reading them from all of the experienced and respected former casino employees who have kept this hobby alive through the years. I am quite new to this forum...about 13 months now... and have read all the postings and have learned more than I could ever have imagined. Please keep sharing those informational and life experience stories as I am sure all on here feel as I do. By the way I am 71 and still work everyday in the building restoration field.

Monti Yea I lost touch with Ralph about the same time like he just disappeared. jmisatu 71 and still going Great go as long as you can. I used to do bldg restorations until my ladder climbing days ended 4 yrs ago. So now slots are full time. Glad you enjoy the stories you will find many in the older posts.

Mechanic!
I am 73 and still plugging along, my main field of endeavor was my business of doing home audio and home theater installations in new large homes in the Lake Tahoe and Truckee Area which began in the early 80's after my time in the casinos with my hobby and side line doing slot machine restorations, Etc.
With the down turn in the economy about 2010 my slot work became full time after my retirement!
I love working on the mechanical slots and also work on the early Bally and IGT slots but hate moving them "Boat Anchors" around my shop so specialize in the vintage slots!
Anyway, take care My Friend!
Bona Fortuna!
MONTI

Monti I guess that makes me the baby of the bunch at 67!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

mechanic wrote:Monti I guess that makes me the baby of the bunch at 67!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

Yeh!
So we'll let you do all the heavy lifting! LOL
MONTI