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Radio Chipstone: 'My Bologna Has A First Name...'

After operating for nearly 100 years on the east side of Madison, the Oscar Mayer plant closed its doors just over a year ago. Matt Treadaway grew up in the shadow of that plant. He didn't follow in his father's footsteps and become an employee, but he did inherit his dad’s love for all things related to the bologna with a famous first name.

It's a Sunday afternoon when contributor Gianofer Fields catches up with Treadaway, who is showing his collection in the basement of a church. He has rare objects, like the uniform worn by famous Wisconsinite Meinhardt Raabe, who was the first Little Oscar spokesperson for Oscar Mayer.

But mostly Treadaway is surrounded by all kinds of Weinermobiles: small whistles made of plastic, child size peddle mobiles and even plush ones perfect for cuddling.

Material culture contributor Gianofer Fields curates the Radio Chipstone series. The project is funded by the Chipstone Foundation, a decorative arts foundation whose mission is preserving and interpreting their collection, as well as stimulating research and education in the decorative arts.