Kilner jar The company was forced to close down to convert to gas furnaces and struggled along for a 66 years despite 3,000 people losing their jobs. In 1937, there was a bankruptcy sale, in which the patent rights to the "Kilner Jar" were sold to the United Glass Bottle company along with the rights to the very similar "Mason" jar that had also been made by Kilner. In 2003, The Rayware Group purchased the design, patent and trademark of the original Kilner jar and continues to produce them today in China. A more detailed history of the companies by the Society
Walter S. Mason Jr. Walter S. Mason Jr. Dr. Walter S. Mason Jr., a Clinton, Oklahoma rural veterinarian turned U.S. Route 66 hotelier, was a former head of the Best Western hotel chain. In 1955, governor-elect Raymond Gary named Dr. Mason (Col '45) as vice-chairman of the State Board of Affairs; he served seven years (1970–76) as an appointed member of the Oklahoma Industrial Development and Park Commission. He became president of Best Western International in 1984. As owner of the Tradewinds Courtyard Inn from 1963 until 2003, he hosted Elvis Presley during his travels from Memphis to Las Vegas and Hollywood and was