The Beistle Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing |
| Founded | January 1, 1900 in Pennsylvania, United States |
| Founder | Martin Luther Beistle |
| Headquarters | Shippensburg , United States |
| Products | Holiday-themed decorations, party supplies (notably Halloween items) |
| Website | beistle |
The Beistle Company, commonly known as Beistle, is a U.S.-based manufacturer that specializes in holiday-themed decorations and party supplies, with a particular emphasis on its broad selection of Halloween items. Established in 1900 in Pennsylvania by Martin Luther Beistle, the enterprise was influenced by his background as a calendar salesman and his exposure to European paper crafting methods.
Beistle introduced its Halloween collection during the 1920s, significantly contributing to the widespread adoption of Halloween decorations throughout the United States. It holds the distinction of being the nation's longest-running producer of party supplies and decorative items.
History
Martin Luther Beistle, working as a representative for the Pittsburgh Art Calendar Company in 1900, developed the concept of artificial paper plants to substitute for maintenance-heavy water plants used in lobbies. His trip to Heidelberg, Germany exposed him to a honeycomb paper technique, which he adapted for creating decorative products.
Starting operations from a basement in Pittsburgh, Beistle initially manufactured artificial flowers and wooden goods. The company grew and incorporated in 1907 after moving to Oakville, Pennsylvania, eventually shifting production to larger facilities located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. By 1910, Beistle had introduced honeycomb tissue manufacturing technology from Europe to America and secured several patents that strengthened its competitive advantage.
During the 1920s, Beistle partnered with Paper Novelty Company to expand into seasonal paper decorations for holidays such as Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Halloween-themed decorations were their first seasonal products and became fundamental to their offerings. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, the company launched fortune-telling games designed for Halloween parties—now considered collectible artifacts. Over the years, Beistle has created more than 1,000 unique Halloween designs; their affordability and accessibility have played a major role in shaping holiday decoration customs across the U.S.
Since 2015, Creepy Company has held licensing rights to produce apparel and collectibles featuring Beistle’s designs, including enamel pins.
After Martin Luther Beistle passed away in 1935, ownership was transferred to his son-in-law Henry E. Luhrs and his family.
In popular culture
In 2017, the American heavy metal group Acid Witch released a track titled "Mr. Beistle" on their album Evil Sound Screamers, paying homage to Martin Luther Beistle and his company.
Further reading
- Arkins, Diane (2000). Halloween Romantic Art and Customs of Yesteryear. Pelican Publishing. ISBN 978-1565547124
- Schneider, Stuart (1995). Halloween in America: A Collector's Guide With Prices. Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 978-0887407079