Early Ad for Pillsbury
Charles Pillsbury, along with his father George A. Pillsbury, and uncle John S. Pillsbury, purchased an interest in an old rundown Minneapolis flour mill in 1869. Although they had no experience with flour milling, the Pillsburys managed to turn a profit the first year.
Speed Delivery with Gold Medal Trucks
In the early 1920s, the Washburn Crosby Company began to use trucks like this one for flour delivery work. In addition to being an effective delivery method, the trucks became on-the-go advertisements for the company.
The Sperry Flour Company
The Sperry Flour Company was founded in 1852 and joined General Mills in 1929. Sperry, based in California, was the leading West Coast milling company and also had mills in Tacoma, Spokane and Portland. On this mill, one of Sperry’s most popular brands, Drifted Snow, is being advertised.
Early Advertising
Trade cards such as this were a popular form of advertising in the early 1900s. This card from the Washburn Crosby Co. says the company’s flour was the “Best in the World."
We’re 150!
From the moment he saw Saint Anthony Falls in Minneapolis, in the 1850s, Cadwallader Washburn dreamed of building a flour mill there. His first mill opened in 1866, and was nicknamed “Washburn’s Folly” for its stunning size and cost. But that mill started a successful company that still exists today! Learn about our early history in our latest podcast on “A Taste of General Mills.”
Gold Medal Delivery Trucks
Hard at work in the 1930s, these two men are delivering Gold Medal flour sacks in Minneapolis, where the brand was founded.
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