Old Duke's Making a Lot More Cigarettes a Year

In 1884, while his competitors were still hesitating, Duke had installed two Bonsack machines in his Durham factory. A year later, after experimenting to improve the machine's performance, he agreed that he would produce all his cigarettes with the Bonsack machine. In return, Bonsack reduced Duke's royalties to 20 cents per thousand. By becoming Bonsack's premier customer, Duke secured essential control over its technology.