The American Giants channel on Thanksgiving released a 34-minute documentary about the creation of the Buck Atom Muffler Man that stands at Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66 in Tulsa. The film describes how store owner Mary Beth Babcock came up with the idea of a Buck Atom fibreglass giant in 2018 and how Joel … Continue reading Short documentary released about the creation of Buck Atom Muffler Man in Tulsa
Tag: Joel Baker
Expert: Muffler Men seeing a resurgence across the U.S.
Joel Baker, an expert on the Muffler Men made in the 1960s and '70s, reported something I've suspected for a few years -- that those fiberglass giants are seeing a big resurgence across the country. Baker in this recent video recounts all the activity seen with new and old Muffler Men, including along the Route … Continue reading Expert: Muffler Men seeing a resurgence across the U.S.
Native American fiberglass statue in Minnesota heading to American Giants Museum
A Native American fiberglass giant that stood in Bemidji, Minnesota, for more than 60 years is on its way to the American Giants Museum along Route 66 in Atlanta, Illinois. The so-called Big Indian has been Morell’s Chippewa Trading Post since 1963. According to the Bemidji Pioneer newspaper, which had photos of the giant being … Continue reading Native American fiberglass statue in Minnesota heading to American Giants Museum
American Giants Museum featured in the New York Times
The so-called "newspaper of record" has published a prominent story about the American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois. The New York Times posted the story by reporter Valerie Schremp Hahn and St. Louis photographer Bryan Birks in its Fine Arts and Design section on Wednesday. It contains a lot of information about the museum's genesis … Continue reading American Giants Museum featured in the New York Times
Joel Baker to appear at American Giants Museum on Nov. 2-3
The American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, announced Joel Baker of American Giants LLC will be the volunteer docent at the museum from 1 to 4 p.m. on Nov. 2 and from 10 a.m. to noon on Nov. 3. Baker, who lives in Colorado and doesn't get to Illinois often, also will speak at the … Continue reading Joel Baker to appear at American Giants Museum on Nov. 2-3
Are Muffler Men undergoing a big revival?
The short answer is yes. The Chicago Tribune a few days ago took a look at what one Route 66 advocate, Bill Thomas, called "a bit of a Renaissance" for the fiberglass giants, colloquially known as Muffler Men. The Muffler Men, made primarily by International Fiberglass in Venice, California, during the 1960s to the mid-1970s, … Continue reading Are Muffler Men undergoing a big revival?
Joel Baker of American Giants Museum to be keynote speaker at Miles of Possibility Conference
Joel Baker, founder of the American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, will be the keynote speaker during the Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference at the historic Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville, Illinois. The conference's theme, naturally, will be "Giants of Route 66." It will run from Oct. 31 through Nov. 3. Baker is the nation’s … Continue reading Joel Baker of American Giants Museum to be keynote speaker at Miles of Possibility Conference
American Giants Museum’s grand opening will include installation of two Muffler Men
The American Giants Museum's grand opening on May 24-26 will include the installation of two Muffler Men on the site in downtown Atlanta, Illinois. According to a news release, featured activities on May 24 will include the arrival and installation of a 24-foot-tall Texaco Big Friend giant, one of only six surviving from the original … Continue reading American Giants Museum’s grand opening will include installation of two Muffler Men
‘CBS Sunday Morning’ takes a closer look at history of Muffler Men, new museum
The long-running "CBS Sunday Morning" program recently produced a 4-minute segment about the history of Muffler Men, including those on Route 66, and Joel Baker, who has dedicated years to documenting and preserving them. It also talks about the American Giants Museum that recently opened along old Route 66 in Atlanta, Illinois. https://youtu.be/dj_s9C8LBDY?si=60WHPFUd8CC9Ca2A The American … Continue reading ‘CBS Sunday Morning’ takes a closer look at history of Muffler Men, new museum
Report gives more details about the forthcoming American Giants Museum
A recent report in a regional newspaper gave more details about the American Giants Museum that will open next month along Route 66 in downtown Atlanta, Illinois. The story of so-called Muffler Men, or fiberglass giants built primarily in the 1960s, will be housed in a former Texaco gas station at 100 SW Arch St. … Continue reading Report gives more details about the forthcoming American Giants Museum