Betty Crocker: Difference between revisions
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'''Betty Crocker''', an invented [[persona]] and [[mascot]], is a [[brand name]] and [[trademark]] of [[United States|American]] [[Conglomerate (company)|food company]] [[General Mills]]. The name was first developed by the [[Washburn Crosby Company]] in 1921 as a way to give a personalized response to consumer product questions. |
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==Origin== |
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Company executives chose the name "Betty" because it seemed warm and friendly to them. The [[surname]] "Crocker" was borrowed from retired executive [[William H. Crocker]]. At first "Betty Crocker" was merely used as a fictitious personal signature to replies to customers asking advice. Then, in [[1924]], Betty Crocker found a voice with the debut of the daytime [[radio broadcast]] known as ''The Betty Crocker Cooking School of the Air''. The show was voiced and scripted for two decades by [[Marjorie Husted]], and went on to run through to [[1953]] (and was a big hit in its time) |
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==Early years== |
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In [[1928]], Washburn Crosby merged with five or more other milling companies to form General Mills, which continues to use the Betty Crocker brand. |
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In [[1929]], Betty Crocker [[coupon]]s were introduced. Inserted in bags of [[flour]], they could be used to reduce the cost of [[Oneida Ltd.|Oneida]] [[cutlery|flatware]]. By [[1932]], this scheme had become so popular that General Mills began to offer an entire set of flatware; the pattern was called "Friendship" (later renamed "Medality"). In [[1937]] the coupons were printed on the outside of packages, copy on which told purchasers to "save and redeem for big savings on fine kitchen and home accessories in our [[mail-order catalog|catalog]]". |
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From 1930, General Mills issued softbound recipe books, including in 1933 ''Betty Crocker's 101 Delicious [[Bisquick]] Creations, As Made and Served by Well-Known Gracious Hostesses, Famous Chefs, Distinguished Epicures and Smart Luminaries of Movieland. '' |
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In 1949, actress [[Adelaide Hawley]] became Betty Crocker for many years. She appeared for several years on the ''[[Burns and Allen]] Show'', and even had her own TV show. She also appeared in the [[CBS]] network's first colour commercial, in which she baked a "mystery fruit cake". Hawley continued to portray Betty Crocker until 1964. |
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A portrait of Betty Crocker first appeared in 1936. It subtly changed over the years, but always accommodated General Mills' cultural perception of the American homemaker: knowledgeable, and caring. The current image of Betty Crocker, according to the corporation, is actually a combination of 75 real-life women of diverse backgrounds and ages thought by the company to represent the true Betty Crocker. |
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In [[Golden Valley, Minnesota]], the [[Minneapolis, Minnesota|Minneapolis]] suburb where General Mills is headquartered, there is a street called Betty Crocker Drive. |
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==Current== |
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In 2005, the 10th edition of the Betty Crocker cookbook was published, as well as a [[Spanish language|Spanish]]/[[English language|English]] bilingual book that collects some of the more common recipes for Spanish-speaking readers looking to cook American-style food. There are also a number of Betty Crocker-branded products, such as hand mixers, which support General Mills' product line of foodstuffs. |
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In 2006, it was announced that the Betty Crocker Catalog was going out of business, with all of its inventory on sale. Points were redeemable until [[December 15]], [[2006]]. A new online store will be launched in April 2007; BettyCrockerStore.com will be part of the BettyCrocker.com web site in conjunction with [[Cooking.com]]. |
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==References== |
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* Dunning, John. ''On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio.'' Oxford University Press, 1998. ISBN 0-19-507678-8 |
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* An [[Adventures in Odyssey]] episode makes a significant reference to the Betty Crocker cook book |
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* Marks, Susan. (2007) ''Finding Betty Crocker: The Secret Life of America's First Lady of Food'' University of Minnesota Press. ISBN 978-0816650187. |
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==External links== |
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* [http://www.bettycrocker.com/ Betty Crocker official website] |
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* [http://www.bettycrockerstore.com/ Betty Crocker official store website] |
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* [http://www.cookbkjj.com/college/betty_crocker.htm ''Betty Crocker Picture Cook Book''] edition history: changing portrait-style images of Betty Crocker since 1936 |
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* [http://www.hhmuseum.org/mg/mg_hhm.htm Susan Marks-Kerst, except from "Betty Crocker: Marketing the Modern Woman,"] in ''Hennepin History'' (Minneapolis), Spring 1999 |
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* [http://chnm.gmu.edu/features/sidelights/crocker.html Betty Crocker's history] |
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* [http://www.findingbettycrocker.com/ Site for a book about Betty Crocker by Susan Marks] |
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* [http://www.ilovethefingerlakes.com/history/famous-people-cumming.htm Biography of Adelaide Fish Hawley Cumming] |
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* [http://www.foodsdatabase.com/LinkedLabel.aspx?FoodId=18179 Nutrition facts] |
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* [http://www.originaltvproducts.com/Bake_N_Fill_Cake_Pan_Betty_Crocker.html Bake N Fill Pan Betty Crocker] |
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[[Category:Advertising characters]] |
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[[Category:General Mills characters]] |
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[[Category:General Mills brands]] |
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[[Category:Radio characters|Crocker, Betty]] |
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[[Category:Fictional characters from Minnesota|Crocker, Betty]] |
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[[Category:Corporate mascots]] |
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[[Category:NASCAR sponsors]] |
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Revision as of 21:36, 30 August 2007
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betty crocker was born in cinncinnatus new york in 2013