Michigan man credited with inventing Pop-Tarts
– Michigan man inventing Pop-Tarts
– Inventor of Pop-Tarts in Michigan.

Michigan Man and Pop-Tart Inventor Bill Post Dies at 96

The Michigan man credited with inventing the popular toaster pastry Pop-Tarts has passed away at the age of 96. William (Bill) Post, a remarkable individual who left an indelible mark on the breakfast food industry, died recently, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come.

From Humble Beginnings to Culinary Success

Post’s journey began as a part-time worker washing trucks at Hekman Biscuit Company, which later became known as the Keebler Company. After serving in the Army Air Corps in occupied Japan, he returned to his part-time job and gradually climbed the corporate ladder with determination and hard work, as stated in his obituary.

At the age of 21, Post joined Hekman full-time as the personnel manager, where he eagerly immersed himself in various aspects of the company, including sales, production, and anything else he could learn. Little did he know that two decades later, he would play a pivotal role in the creation of a revolutionary breakfast treat.

The Birth of the Pop-Tart

It was during Post’s tenure as the plant manager for Hekman that executives from Kellogg’s approached the company with a request to develop a new product. One of those executives, William LaMothe, would soon become one of Post’s closest friends. Although Post is credited with inventing the Pop-Tart, he always emphasized that it was a collaborative effort.

According to his obituary, Post said, “I assembled an amazing team that developed Kellogg’s concept of a shelf-stable toaster pastry into a fine product that we could bring to market in the span of just four months.” The collaboration between Kellogg’s and Keebler continued until Kellogg’s ultimately acquired the Keebler company.

A Life Filled with Accomplishments

In 1967, Post relocated his family to Elmhurst, Illinois, where he worked at the corporate offices of the Keebler Company. At the age of 56, he decided to retire and settled in Glen Arbor, Michigan. However, he continued to contribute his expertise as a consultant for Kellogg’s for another two decades. In 2003, Post and his wife, Florence (Schut), returned to Grand Rapids to be closer to their family.

Tragically, Post was preceded in death by his wife, six siblings, and their spouses. His passing leaves a void in the lives of his loved ones and the breakfast food industry as a whole.

Pop-Tarts: A Movie in the Making

The impact of Post’s invention is so significant that it has even inspired a movie. Netflix is set to release “Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story,” a film that delves into the creation of this iconic breakfast pastry. The movie, set in Michigan in 1963, a year before Pop-Tarts hit grocery store shelves, is written, directed, and stars the talented Jerry Seinfeld.

Joining Seinfeld in this exciting project are a star-studded cast, including Melissa McCarthy, Jim Gaffigan, Amy Schumer, Hugh Grant, Max Greenfield, Christian Slater, Bill Burr, Daniel Levy, James Marsden, Jack McBrayer, Thomas Lennon, Bobby Moynihan, Adrian Martinez, Sarah Cooper, and Fred Armisen.

As we mourn the loss of Bill Post, let us remember his incredible contributions to the culinary world and the joy he brought to breakfast tables worldwide. His legacy will continue to live on through every bite of the beloved Pop-Tart.

– Michigan man credited with inventing Pop-Tarts
– Inventor of Pop-Tarts from Michigan dies at 96.