1950-1960
1950 - Frozen Pizza
The earliest print reference we find to manufactured frozen pizza (in the USA)
is patent 2,688,117, "Method for Making Frozen Pizza,"
filed by Jo Bucci, Philadelphia PA, August 10, 1950. We also find evidence of
refrigerated pizza products penetrating grocery stores.
1951 - Chickenfurters
Traditional American hot
dogs, like most sausages, are made from hogs. They are generally
composed with the parts not suitable for other consumption. Beef hot dogs are
considered an acceptable alternative. Tuna hot dogs were introduced in 1949. They
failed. Chickenfurters (aka chicken franks, chicken hot dogs, chicken dogs)
first surfaced in 1951. Like their tuna cousins, they were rejected by hot dog
afficianados. Why? It's all about preserving the *purity* of a national icon.
1952 - Diet Soda
Unflavored, unsweeted, no-cal carbonated water products [soda water and tonic
water] have been consumed from the earliest days of soda fountains. Soda water
and tonic water were generally mixed with other ingredients (sweet syrups,
liqueurs, ice cream) for flavor. These products were initially promoted as
health drinks. Especially as alternatives to *demon* alcohol. By the 1880s,
sweentened carbonated beverages became a product in their own right. Think: Dr.
Pepper and Coca Cola.
1953 - Marshmallow Peeps
Few products have achieved the iconic status of PEEPS®, the yellow,
chick-shaped marshmallow confection beloved by children and adults alike. But,
as popular as PEEPS® has become, it is only one of the many delicious products
produced by Just Born, an 87-year-old, family-owned confectionery company based
in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
1954 - Ranch Dressing
The family bought the land in 1954 and ran Hidden Valley Ranch, offering hiking
tours, horseback riding and fishing, in the day. At night, folks would enjoy a
home-cooked meal before gathering around the campfire to listen to stories.
Guests came to enjoy the great outdoors and wholesome meals, but it was
something else that made them come back: the delicious, homemade buttermilk
salad dressing with a special blend of herbs and spices lovingly prepared by the
proprietor — what we know today as the original Ranch dressing.
1955 - Frozen Pie Crusts
Food historians laud Clarence Birdseye for launching the American frozen food
industry. Fruits, veggies, fish were first offerings. Other foods followed in
swift progression. Swanson and Morton pioneered the frozen pie market;
concentrating savory selections [Chicken, Turkey, Beef].
1956 - Chocolate Covered Ants
We can confirm chocolate covered ants were a novelty food in the United States
in the late 1950s. These exotic morsels were promoted by gourmet imported food
shops as items to *surprise* guests. They mostly appealed to men.
1957 - PAM Cooking Spray
PAM® uses a unique blend of oils in its
nonstick cooking spray, and this makes all types of cooking, baking — and even
grilling — just plain easier.
1958 - Instant Ramen Noodles
Our research indcates Ramen-style noodles migrated to Japan, via China, in the
1920s. Instant ramen noodles were invented by
Momofuku Ando, a Japanese food manuracturer in
1958. The product arrived in the USA in 1970. Tasty, cheap & easy to
prepare, ramen continues to play a key role in the American the dry-soup market
The earliest print reference we find to manufactured frozen pizza (in the USA)
is patent 2,688,117, "Method for Making Frozen Pizza,"
filed by Jo Bucci, Philadelphia PA, August 10, 1950. We also find evidence of
refrigerated pizza products penetrating grocery stores.
1951 - Chickenfurters
Traditional American hot
dogs, like most sausages, are made from hogs. They are generally
composed with the parts not suitable for other consumption. Beef hot dogs are
considered an acceptable alternative. Tuna hot dogs were introduced in 1949. They
failed. Chickenfurters (aka chicken franks, chicken hot dogs, chicken dogs)
first surfaced in 1951. Like their tuna cousins, they were rejected by hot dog
afficianados. Why? It's all about preserving the *purity* of a national icon.
1952 - Diet Soda
Unflavored, unsweeted, no-cal carbonated water products [soda water and tonic
water] have been consumed from the earliest days of soda fountains. Soda water
and tonic water were generally mixed with other ingredients (sweet syrups,
liqueurs, ice cream) for flavor. These products were initially promoted as
health drinks. Especially as alternatives to *demon* alcohol. By the 1880s,
sweentened carbonated beverages became a product in their own right. Think: Dr.
Pepper and Coca Cola.
1953 - Marshmallow Peeps
Few products have achieved the iconic status of PEEPS®, the yellow,
chick-shaped marshmallow confection beloved by children and adults alike. But,
as popular as PEEPS® has become, it is only one of the many delicious products
produced by Just Born, an 87-year-old, family-owned confectionery company based
in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
1954 - Ranch Dressing
The family bought the land in 1954 and ran Hidden Valley Ranch, offering hiking
tours, horseback riding and fishing, in the day. At night, folks would enjoy a
home-cooked meal before gathering around the campfire to listen to stories.
Guests came to enjoy the great outdoors and wholesome meals, but it was
something else that made them come back: the delicious, homemade buttermilk
salad dressing with a special blend of herbs and spices lovingly prepared by the
proprietor — what we know today as the original Ranch dressing.
1955 - Frozen Pie Crusts
Food historians laud Clarence Birdseye for launching the American frozen food
industry. Fruits, veggies, fish were first offerings. Other foods followed in
swift progression. Swanson and Morton pioneered the frozen pie market;
concentrating savory selections [Chicken, Turkey, Beef].
1956 - Chocolate Covered Ants
We can confirm chocolate covered ants were a novelty food in the United States
in the late 1950s. These exotic morsels were promoted by gourmet imported food
shops as items to *surprise* guests. They mostly appealed to men.
1957 - PAM Cooking Spray
PAM® uses a unique blend of oils in its
nonstick cooking spray, and this makes all types of cooking, baking — and even
grilling — just plain easier.
1958 - Instant Ramen Noodles
Our research indcates Ramen-style noodles migrated to Japan, via China, in the
1920s. Instant ramen noodles were invented by
Momofuku Ando, a Japanese food manuracturer in
1958. The product arrived in the USA in 1970. Tasty, cheap & easy to
prepare, ramen continues to play a key role in the American the dry-soup market