What does it mean for Dr Grabow Pipes to be pre-smoked?

[steamtrain]

I envision some hard working union guy taking a few puffs on each and every pipe that comes out of the Dr Grabow Factory. And he as been there since 1952...

 

[hauntedmyst]

They actually have a circular production machine that loads the pipes and smokes one bowl as the machine goes around. There was an article in P&T about it a few years ago.

 

[collindow]

I like steam's version better ha ha.

 

[pstlpkr]

Hey Steamtrain,
I think Kevin posted a video at one time that showed the smoking machine at the Grabow factory.

I'm not having any luck with searches today, but I know it's on here somewhere.

 

[krgulick]

Welcome steamtrain. Keep the questions and posts coming. Glad to see you here.

 

[wallbright]

I know they used to use a machine that looked like this. But now they use a different one I believe? The basic principle is the same though to have the machine smoke the bowl.

 

[buckeye]

that` pretty cool. like to see that machine in action. :D

 

[flipflopsandshades]

This is very cool and I didn't know they used a special machine for this. I wouldn't mind purchasing a Dr. Grabow, they seem like decent pipes.

 

[cortezattic]

A Pipedia article says

In 1937 Linkman began calling his pipes “Pre-Smoked”. An ad dating from 1946 celebrates it as "America's most wanted pipes" and the text announces that each Dr. Grabow gets broken in on the Linkman's Automatic Smoking Machine with the fine Edgeworth tobacco.

 

[steamtrain]

Now to Find ---"Edgeworth Tobbaco" which is what they fed the pipes

 

[chuckw]

Mr. Linkman was actually Mrs. Linkman. She wanted to advertise pipes as being healthier than cigars or cigarettes and asked her dentist if she could use his name. He agreed and Dr. Grabow pipes were born.

 

[steamtrain]

Funny because my great grandfather was told to give his pipe by his doctor in favor of Cigarrets...Heard the same story