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 and William Heston, claimed to have selected the Quaker name as a symbol of good quality and honest value.
1881
Henry Parsons Crowell buys the bankrupt Quaker Mill in Ravenna, OH, and its most important asset – 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.
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.
2017
Quaker celebrates our 140-year anniversary.