– Pop-Tarts co-inventor William ‘Bill’ Post
– Pop-Tarts inventor William ‘Bill’ Post.
William “Bill” Post, the inventor of Pop-Tarts, passed away last weekend on Feb. 10 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was 96 years old.
Post, who was the son of Dutch immigrants, had a remarkable career that led to the creation of one of America’s most beloved breakfast treats. According to his obituary, he was serving as the plant manager of Keebler Company in the early 1960s when he was approached by executives from Kellogg’s with an idea for a new product.
“It is at this juncture that Bill is often credited for having ‘invented’ the Pop-Tart,” reads his obituary.
Pop-Tarts, the iconic toaster pastry, was first invented in 1963 by Kellogg chairman William E. LaMothe. The idea was to transform a delicious breakfast into a convenient, toaster-ready rectangle that could be enjoyed anywhere. LaMothe pitched the idea to his kitchen crew, who initially developed it as a toast and jam pastry called “Fruit Scone.” However, the name was not very appealing, so they took inspiration from the Pop Culture movement of the day and renamed it “Pop-Tarts.”
Post played a crucial role in bringing the idea to life. When he was approached by Kellogg’s with the concept, he embraced it and worked tirelessly to make it a reality. Despite initial skepticism from his boss, Post proceeded to make almost 10,000 samples of the pastry by hand in the laboratory.
“To get that done, I had to break every rule in the book,” said Post. Within four weeks, the handmade samples were ready, and within four months, they had a product that went to test market. The response was overwhelmingly positive, especially among kids.
“The new creations were tested in different markets and were an instant hit,” Post recalled. “Those just blew off the shelves.”
Post didn’t stop there. He believed that Pop-Tarts needed frosting, so in 1967, the pastries got frosted. The decision to frost all four flavors took just one day. Post’s innovative thinking and dedication to creating a fine product played a significant role in the success of Pop-Tarts.
Following the split of Kellogg’s into two independent companies, Pop-Tarts are now under the direction of Kellanova and offer more than 20 flavors. The beloved breakfast pastry continues to be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Bill Post’s contribution to the creation of Pop-Tarts will always be remembered. His legacy lives on through the joy that Pop-Tarts bring to breakfast tables across the country.
Post is survived by his two children, as mentioned in his obituary, along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his best friend and wife Florence, who passed away in 2020.
In conclusion, the world has lost a true innovator with the.
1. Pop-Tarts co-inventor William ‘Bill’ Post passes away at age 96
2. Co-inventor of Pop-Tarts, William ‘Bill’ Post, dies at the age of 96.
