QUAKER HISTORY
For over 140 years, we’ve been inspired by the power
and wholesome goodness of the amazing oat. See how we’ve grown with it.
| 1850 Ferdinand Schumacher founds German Mills American Cereal Company in Akron, OH. During the same period, John Stuart established the North Star Mills Company in Canada. 1877 Quaker Oats registered as the first trademark for a breakfast cereal. The trademark was registered with the U.S. Patent Office as “a figure of a man in ‘Quaker garb.'” Both former owners, Henry Seymour 1881 Henry Parsons Crowell buys the bankrupt Quaker Mill in Ravenna, OH, and the brand name Quaker. 1882 Crowell launches the first national magazine advertising program for a breakfast cereal. 1890 The American Cereal Company runs a special all-Quaker Oats train from Cedar Rapids, IA to Portland, OR and introduces the first ever “trial-size samples.” 1/2 oz. sample boxes of Quaker Oats are delivered to every mailbox in Portland, OR. 1891 Two more firsts – Quaker Oats introduced the idea of packaged premiums by inserting chinaware items into boxes of oats, plus we became the first brand to feature a recipe on its box (the recipe was for Oatmeal Bread). 1908 Oat Cakes become the first oatmeal cookie to appear on the Quaker Oats package. 1915 The familiar round Quaker Oats package is introduced. 1922 Quaker introduces Quaker Quick Oats, one of the first convenience products. 1961 Life® Cereal is introduced in its Original flavor. 1966 Quaker Instant Oatmeal is introduced. 1970 The first flavored instant oatmeal is introduced – Maple & Brown Sugar is distributed nationally and Date & Brown Sugar is distributed regionally. 1981 Quaker introduces the world to chewy granola bars with Quaker Chewy® 1987 Actor Wilford Brimley stars in the advertising campaign, “The Right Thing To Do,” which runs for 5 years. 1995 The Quaker Oats Company Submits a heart petition to the FDA for consideration. 1996 The FDA issues a proposal for the first health claim for a specific food – oatmeal for heart health. 1997 The first food-specific health claim for oatmeal is approved by the FDA. The new heart health claim appears on Quaker Oatmeal cereals which qualify. The claim reads: “Soluble fiber from oatmeal as part of a low saturated fat, low cholesterol diet, may reduce the risk of heart disease.” This was also the first year of the Smart Heart Challenge. 2007 Quaker celebrates our 130-year anniversary. 2009 Bob Harper joins the Quaker family to help fans make positive changes! Some of his favorite oatmeal toppings are blueberries and slivered almonds. 2012 The famous Quaker man (affectionately known as Larry) undergoes a subtle makeover—including getting back in shape by eating right and exercising, trimming his famous coif and revealing more radiant skin from daily oatmeal masks. |