On August 1, 1893, Henry D. Perky forever changed the breakfast scene when he received a patent for shredded wheat. Originally from Ohio, Perky came up with the idea for shredded wheat in 1892 with the help of his friend William H. Ford, a machinist from Watertown, New York.
Their collaboration led to the creation of a machine that could produce the shredded wheat “biscuit,” which was then baked into a cereal. Interestingly, Perky initially intended to sell the machines rather than enter the food business.
Perky, described as a devout vegetarian, believed in the simplicity of food for a healthier life. While commonly associated with breakfast, shredded wheat was actually designed to be a versatile food option for any meal.
Although the shredded wheat biscuit and the machines did not catch on immediately with the public, people eventually started consuming shredded wheat due to claims that it was a health food with numerous benefits. Perky went on to establish The Boston Shredded Cereal Food Company in the 1890s, expanding to Worcester in 1895 and later to Niagara Falls in 1901. Shredded wheat even gained international popularity, with factories opening in Canada in 1904 and England in 1925.
Despite its American origins, shredded wheat remains highly popular in the United Kingdom, thanks in part to successful advertising campaigns. Advertisements from the early 1900s touted shredded wheat as a relief from boring porridge and an ideal food for war workers. In more recent times, British ads have positioned shredded wheat as a simple, honest, and reliable food choice.
One particular ad campaign even caught the attention of former Prime Minister David Cameron, who compared his terms in office to “Shredded Wheat”—two terms being wonderful but a third term possibly being too much.
In conclusion, Henry D. Perky’s invention of shredded wheat revolutionized breakfast and led to a successful cereal company that reached international markets. The health benefits and versatility of shredded wheat continue to be enjoyed by people around the world.
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