Rise of manufactured costumes
Until the 1920s, most Halloween costumes were handmade by the costume wearer or their family. This all changed in the 1920s with the advent of manufactured costumes from companies like Ben Cooper, Collegeville Flag and Manufacturing Company, and H. Halpern Company.
Ben Cooper, in particular, gained Halloween popularity through the production of officially licensed costumes of popular characters. Making a Popeye costume is less appealing when you can purchase your own for $3.
