History of Tobacco in Durham NC #history #genealogy #northcarolinapioneers

The Tobacco Business in Durham 

About 1879 James Buchanan Duke entered into the smoking tobacc business against the Bull Durham Brand, also from Durham. Two years later, James Bonsack invented the cigarette-rolling machine which produced over 200 cigarettes per minute. Thereafter, Duke proceeded to make a deal with the Bonsack Machine Company wherebyDuke agreed to produce all cigarettes with his two rented Bonsack machines and in return, Bonsack reduced the royalties charged to Duke from $0.30 per thousand to $0.20 per thousand. Duke also hired one of the mechanics of Bonsack, resulting in fewer breakdowns of his machines than his competitors. Afterwards, Duke spent $800,000 on advertising and lowered his prices so that by 1890 he joined with the American Tobacco Company. 

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