– Bill Post inventor of Pop-Tart
– Bill Post dies at 96.
Bill Post, Inventor of Pop-Tart, Dies at 96
Bill Post, a key member of the baking company team that created the iconic Pop-Tart, passed away on February 10 at the age of 96, according to an obituary released by MKD Funeral Homes in Grand Rapids, Michigan. While the family has chosen not to disclose further details about his death, Post’s contributions to the world of breakfast pastries are undeniable.
More than six decades after the creation of Pop-Tarts in Grand Rapids, the toaster-friendly snack continues to be a staple in kitchens and cafeterias alike. The sugary pastry generated a staggering $978 million in sales in 2022, according to CNBC, solidifying its place in American breakfast culture.
In a recent interview with CNBC, Post expressed his humble perspective on the success of Pop-Tarts. As the plant manager for the Hekman baking company (later known as Keebler’s), Post played a crucial role in overcoming technical challenges during the pastry’s development. He knew he had a hit product on his hands when his children couldn’t get enough of the “fruit scones,” as the pastries were originally named.
Pop-Tarts, initially released in 1963, quickly gained popularity and became synonymous with convenience and indulgence. The product’s name was a nod to the pop art movement, and its success soared as it hit the shelves across the United States in 1965, offering flavors like strawberry, blueberry, brown sugar cinnamon, and apple currant.
However, it wasn’t until a few years later that the signature frosting was added to the Pop-Tarts. Post himself came up with the idea, demonstrating the results of running the pastries through a cookie-icing machine to Kellogg’s executive William E. LaMothe. The frosting withstood the heat of the toaster, leading to an immediate decision to frost every variety of Pop-Tart.
Post’s contributions to the success of Pop-Tarts extended beyond his role at Keebler. He rose to become a senior vice president at Keebler and spent two decades as a consultant for Kellogg’s. His dedication to the pastry was evident in his personal life as well, with his car proudly displaying a “POPTART” license plate, and he always kept a pack of Pop-Tarts on hand, his favorite flavor being strawberry.
In a 2021 interview with West Michigan CBS affiliate WWMT, Post shared his love for Pop-Tarts and how they became his go-to snack. He even brought them to his church’s seniors group lunches, where some assumed he could only eat Pop-Tarts due to dietary restrictions.
Bill Post’s legacy as the inventor of Pop-Tarts will forever be remembered, as his creation has become a beloved part of breakfast traditions across the nation. His innovation and dedication to perfecting the toaster-friendly pastry have left an indelible mark on the food industry.
A complete obituary will be published soon.
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– Bill Post inventor of the Pop-Tart
– Bill Post dies at 96.
