Betty Crocker Appliances
By the 1950s, Betty Crocker had become America’s premier “home maker,” so she did what any enterprising business woman would - she introduced a line of appliances. This sturdy iron was just one of many examples of Betty’s popular tools to make home life easier.
No Ordinary Fruit Dessert
Who wouldn’t want to make a fabulous dessert from a humble can of fruit? Evidently, not many people as this fruity dessert extension of the Hamburger Helper line was discontinued. However, if you’d like to recreate the goodness today, mix a can of fruit with some pudding and crumble graham crackers on top. Or go for a slice of Betty Crocker cake.
Three Little Kittens
Think General Mills is only about people food? Think again! We love the kittehs too! In 1959 General Mills acquired the American Crab Meat Co. of Boston and took over the 3 Little Kittens brand. Sadly, for cats and kittens, 3 Little Kittens didn’t contain crab, but , as you can see in this 1961 label, was packed with fish. Meow!
Vintage Flour Barrels
If you wanted flour in the late 1800s this is what it came in. Susan Wakefield, the corporate archivist at General Mills, shows a vintage flour barrel used by The Washburn Crosby Company until 1905.
Powered by the Falls
This 1860 photo shows St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis, Minnesota. At this time, the Falls was already a hub of river traffic and railroads when innovative industrialists used the energy produced by the roaring water to power saw mills and flour mills (where General Mills got its start). Just 20 years after this photo was taken, Minneapolis had become the flour-milling capital of the U.S.
No More Lumpy Potatoes
Instant mashed potatoes were invented in the early 1960’s and Betty was at the forefront of the “no lumps” revolution. Finally, easy mashed potatoes that are fluffier than Mom’s. Thanks, Betty!
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