The Surprising History of Corn Flakes
Lust, betrayal, and sugar.... There's a lot you may not know about your breakfast cereal.
Corn Flakes remain an American breakfast staple
In the 1890s, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg and his brother, W.K. Kellogg, invented their signature Corn Flakes cereal in Battle Creek, Michigan. Dr. Kellogg was a devout Seventh-day Adventist who advocated against any form of sexual activity, while also promoting a vegetarian diet, leading to experimentation with grains. Dr. Kellogg also ran the Battle Creek Sanitarium — a world-famous medical wellness spa where his patients stuck to diets of all bland foods.
In 1906, W.K. Kellogg opened the “Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company” and added sugar to the flakes. The new Corn Flakes were a major hit. But this caused a rift between the brothers that lasted the rest of their lives. They ended up suing each other. Others jumped into the growing cereal market. Battle Creek, Michigan soon became known as “Cereal City.” W.K. Kellogg was a marketing mastermind and spent millions on ads that created a wholesome image for his Corn Flakes. In 1909, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes were the first cereal to come with a prize inside the box. Starting in the 1920s, W.K. Kellogg started using cartoon characters to advertise Corn Flakes. In October 1951, he died at 91. 6 years later, Cornelius Rooster became the iconic mascot for the cereal.
Thanks to this masterful advertising, Corn Flakes become synonymous with the American breakfast. Since the 2000s, sales of Corn Flakes — and cereals in general — have declined as Americans chose breakfast foods with more protein and less sugar. Still, Corn Flakes remain an American breakfast staple.
Brut.
6 comments
Jaswant S.
12/18/2019 11:18Story is intertested and corn flakes is healthy food till long tme back inhospital ony middle rich were given or could afford and for light food daliya or sabudana kheer was given now we see lot of brands and taste butupto middle class tell buy for patients but poineer in India was captain mohan mekin wala he probably intrduced in trasparent packets and was great helper to soceity as he was donating lot of money to technical insitution this form my memory which i have not deleted I saw him in some function good pesonlity. Indian c/F
Jemimah N.
11/25/2019 17:03I will buy u this farm
Khan M.
11/25/2019 02:12Wow
Diana L.
11/24/2019 06:23This smell of corn flakes and milk
Nor A.
11/21/2019 22:27Interesting ...gain some knowledge on Kellogg's history.Thank you.
Brut
11/19/2019 14:25The U.S. is consuming the most sugar in the world — and paying the price for it.