For 100 years, thousands of factory workers in Manitowoc fashioned aluminum into everything from cookie presses to rowboats, earning the accolade, "Aluminum Cookware Capitol of the World."

In 1959, Manitowoc's Aluminum Specialty Co. sent a shock wave through the traditional American home by producing the "Evergleam" all-aluminum Christmas tree.

An instant sensation, millions of trees were shipped throughout the world and even Elvis adorned Graceland's front yard with rows of the trees. Their most famous appearance was on the 1965 premiere of "A Charlie Brown Christmas."

Some of the workers, now retired, vividly recall twisting and gluing the fragile tinsel from July to November in time for Christmas. The trees are now considered quite valuable.

Julie Lindemann and John Shimon, authors of Season's Gleamings - The Art of the Aluminum Christmas Tree, meticulously photographed the trees to produce the book. It is now available for $17.80, plus s&h, from the Manitowoc Visitor & Convention Bureau and other area book stores. To order call 1-800-627-4896 or email us at visitmanitowoc@manitowoc.info.