An Irish immigrant, Caufield opened a photography studio in Louisville, Ky., in 1920. Business was good and there were usually a few people waiting their turn in the studios outer office. Caufield, using the $15.00 he had received in an accident settlement, bought some magic tricks. Practical jokes sell in the busy waiting room. Soon the novelty business outpaced the photography business and he put away his camera and opened Caufields Novelties.The stores magic tricks, practical jokes and toys sold well even through the Depression years. While novelties were not something people had to have, they were inexpensive and lighthearted and the local public continued to purchase them, despite the hard times.