Issue date: Nov 14, 1999

Back to FOOD Special Report: Choices 200

1901
Satori Kato introduces instant coffee at the Pan American Expo in Buffalo. Nabisco introduces Barnum's Animal Crackers. James Kraft develops a method to pasteurize cheese and creates American cheese. Ludwig Roselius invents 97% caffeine-free coffee.

1904
The St. Louis World's Fair is credited with launching the hamburger, the hot dog, the ice cream cone, iced tea and French's mustard.

1906
The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair, is published and creates the first food-safety uproar.

1907
The Scott Paper Co. introduces the first paper towel. Pure food and drug law enacted to protect consumers. New: Dixie Cups, Cracker Jack.

1909
Nabisco introduces the Oreo. George Hellman starts packaging his wife's recipe for mayonnaise.

1916
First mechanical home refrigerators. Ovaltine premieres in America; Quaker Oats develops the first "instant" oatmeal.

1920
New: Baby Ruth candy bar, named for Grover Cleveland's daughter. Good Humor Ice Cream trucks roll out on Ohio streets. "Betty Crocker" begins answering consumer letters for Gold Medal Flour. A peanut butter sandwich gets mushed with a Hershey bar in H.B. Reese's lunch bag and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are launched. Also new: Wheaties -- the breakfast of champions.

1925
The Jolly Green Giant appears on canned vegetables. Borden introduces homogenized milk. Kellogg's creates Rice Krispies. Daniel Gerber starts distributing his wife's idea for strained baby foods.

1929
Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda launched; in a few years, it becomes 7Up. Clarence Birdseye starts selling frozen food. The Continental baking company invents the first sliced bread -- Wonder Bread -- and one of America's favorite snacks, the Hostess Twinkie. Elmer Doolin spends $100 on a tortilla-chip recipe and produces Fritos. The shopping cart is invented by Sylvan Goldman so his Humpty Dumpty and Standard Food Markets customers can buy more items. American Maize-Products develops the first genetically modified corn. Daily Recommended Dietary Allowances first published. Also new: General Foods' Minute Rice; R.T. French's first packaged dehydrated spud -- instant mashed potatoes; Alka Seltzer, a mixture of aspirin and bicarbonate of soda. Pillsbury has its first "Bake-Off" in New York City. Sara Lee Original Cheese Cake debuts in supermarkets. Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil makes room for leftovers.

1951
New: Kellogg's Sugar Frosted Flakes, Saran Wrap, Mrs. Paul's Fish Sticks, Cheez Whiz, Carnation instant dry milk. Swanson & Sons' new frozen TV dinner sells for 98 cents. Microwave ovens are newest kitchen accessory. USDA names the four basic food groups. Coca-Cola introduces Tab and Pepsi debuts Diet Pepsi, starting the sugar-free trend. Weight Watchers holds first meeting.

1965
The University of Florida develops Gatorade, named after school mascot.

1966
First consumer food price boycott held in Denver supermarkets. Beef consumption hits 113 pounds per person per year. New: Ziploc bags, Hamburger Helper, Cool Whip. The UPC bar code speeds grocery checkouts.

1981
Stouffer Foods launches Lean Cuisine, low-calorie (under 300) meals.

1986
New Coke and Coca-Cola Classic premiere; later this year, New Coke is pulled. USDA approves irradiation of fruits and vegetables.

1991
Sales of salsa exceed sales of ketchup.

1992
USDA Food Guide Pyramid appears.

1993
Beef consumption drops dramatically, to 65.1 pounds per person.

1994
Nutritional Labeling & Education Act standardizes labels.

1996
New: Frito Lay's WOW, the first fat-free potato chips made with Olestra.

1999
New: Johnson & Johnson Benecol margarine lowers cholesterol.

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