Exhibit showcases TV pitchmen and their 'amazing' gadgets

"It slices; it dices!"

"Set it and forget it!"

"But wait, there's more!"

Just about everyone of a certain age knows the infamous catchphrases of the Popeil family and its "amazing" products.

For more than 40 years, starting in the early 1960s, the Popeils' high-energy television commercials made them familiar intruders into America's living rooms.

The evidence of their seductive visits sit tucked away in America's cupboards: countless Veg-O-Matics, Kitchen Magicians, Miracle Brooms and other gadgets give silent testimony to the power of the family's broadcast salesmanship.

Even if the temptation to buy was resisted, their commercials and products remain indelibly imprinted in the annals of pop culture history.

The Elmhurst History Museum debuts a new exhibit titled "But Wait, There's More!" running Friday, June 17, through Sunday, Sept. 18, at 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst.

The exhibit shares the Popeil story as a classic tale of hustle and chutzpah starting with Popeil brothers Samuel and Raymond on beachfront boardwalks and county fairs in the 1930s and 1940s.

With only a table, a simple kitchen gadget and a mesmerizing incantation of voice and body language, they had the uncanny ability to stop strangers in their tracks and get them to eagerly pull out money for something they initially had no intention of buying.

This original exhibit is based on the book "But Wait, There's More! The Irresistible Appeal and Spiel of Ronco and Popeil" by Timothy Samuelson, author and Chicago's official cultural historian.

The exhibit showcases Samuelson's extensive collection of Ronco and Popeil products, reflecting a collecting passion that started in young adulthood. It soon led to a desire to understand who these guys were and to learn how they became an American success story as the premiere pitchmen of convenience gadgetry.

The "But Wait, There's More!" exhibit was created by the Elmhurst History Museum staff and designed by curator of exhibits Lance Tawzer. Samuelson and Tawzer have partnered before on projects at the Chicago Cultural Center, and Tawzer immediately saw the kitschy attraction of an exhibit based on Samuelson's book and collection.

"This is one of those exhibit ideas that immediately got my attention when I realized the scope of Tim's personal collection and the depth of his knowledge and research to bring this story to light," Tawzer said.

"We are always looking at interesting ways to tell stories, and this is a piece of Chicago history that most people only know about from the television-audience side. Every infomercial today owes its success to the Ronco and Popeil TV ads.

"We want people to walk away with an understanding of the people behind the ads, the impact they had on consumer sales and the revelation of television as a powerful advertising medium," Tawzer continued.

"They were innovative and clever inventors, and they had this undeniable ability to sell a slew of products that no one really knew they needed."

To share the story, Tawzer is filling the exhibit with those "amazing" products that have become household names - from the Pocket Fisherman, Inside-the-Egg Scrambler and Mr. Microphone to the Record Vacuum, Flower Loom, Sit-On Trash Compactor and so much more.

Displays will feature actual products, and some will include the original designs from the manufacturers. In addition, the exhibit will include a number of engaging interactives to involve visitors.

"We'll have a pretend commercial production booth where guests can try their hand at creating an actual Ronco commercial to post on social media," Tawzer said.

"There will also be a kiosk where folks can listen to a selection of Ronco Records with 'original hits by the original artists' that were popular in the '70s and '80s. We will definitely let people have some fun exploring this theme, so I see it as an all-ages experience where adults can share memories with their kids."

The Elmhurst History Museum has a number of events and programs planned in the coming months to connect to the "But Wait, There's More!" exhibit:

• Exhibit writer, author, and Chicago cultural historian Tim Samuelson presents a free talk and book signing at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 26, in the Elmhurst History Museum Education Center.

• Isn't That Amazing! Summer Spectacular on Sunday, July 17. The themes of innovation and invention showcased in the "But Wait, There's More!" exhibit will be celebrated with an afternoon on the museum grounds that includes Mr. Microphone Karaoke, an "o-matic" product demonstration tent, and a Chef Challenge, where competing cooks will make dishes using Ronco gadgets.

• Tuesday Kids' Programs from noon to 2 p.m. starting June 14. Kids and caregivers can drop by the Elmhurst History Museum's Education Center for a vintage or invention-themed craft activity.

Regular museum hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free and limited free parking is available. For more information, contact www.elmhursthistory.org or (630) 833-1457.