Michigan Man Who Invented Pop-Tarts Dies at 96

Background and Achievements

William “Bill” Post, the legendary Michigan man credited with inventing Pop-Tarts for Kellogg’s, passed away at the age of 96, as reported in an online obituary. Post led a remarkable life filled with numerous accomplishments, although he was often humble about his most famous creation. He delighted in sharing the story of how Pop-Tarts came to be, and would always bring some of his beloved pastries to share with the students he visited in classrooms.

Born in 1927, Post grew up on the south side of Grand Rapids. He served in the Army Air Corps in occupied Japan, married his high school sweetheart, and eventually worked his way up to becoming a plant manager at the Keebler Company, then known as Hekman. However, it was in the early 1960s that Post would secure his place in snack food history.

The Invention of Pop-Tarts

According to Post, one day he received a phone call from a Kellogg’s official asking if they could tour his factory. Kellogg’s wanted a toastable snack but didn’t know how to create it. In an unusual collaboration, Kellogg’s tasked Keebler with inventing this new product, with Kellogg’s handling the marketing. Post assembled a skilled team and spent several months perfecting the process of sandwiching the filling between two layers of dough. Despite facing skepticism from others, Post remained determined.

Finally, Post developed a workable prototype, and Kellogg’s chose Cleveland, Ohio as the test market. The initial run of Pop-Tarts, featuring Strawberry, Blueberry, Brown Cinnamon Sugar, and Apple-Currant flavors, sold out quickly, exceeding all expectations. Pop-Tarts became a runaway hit, with sales reaching over three billion in 2022 and generating nearly $1 billion in U.S. sales for Kellogg’s. Post’s personal favorite flavor remained Strawberry, and he always kept a few boxes in his car.

Legacy and Personal Life

Post continued working for Keebler until his retirement in the 1980s. He then served as a consultant to Kellogg’s for the next two decades. Although his contributions to Pop-Tarts are not officially recognized on the brand’s website, Post’s impact on the snack’s creation is widely acknowledged.

In addition to being a snack icon, Pop-Tarts gained meme status, with Strawberry, the live mascot of Orlando’s Pop-Tarts Bowl, capturing the internet’s adoration. Sadly, Post passed away three months before the expected release of Netflix’s film Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story, directed by Jerry Seinfeld. The film, set in Michigan in 1963, delves into the ambitious, betrayal-filled world of Pop-Tarts.

Post’s son, Dan, revealed that his father was amazed by the movie’s concept and how the snack he created had evolved over the past 60 years. He emphasized that Post was much more than just the Pop-Tart inventor; to friends and family, he was simply “sweet old Bill.” Post’s wife, Florence, who had been married to him for 72 years, passed away in 2020. He is survived by two children, four grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.

In Conclusion

William “Bill” Post’s passing marks the end of an era for both his family and the snack food industry. His invention, the Pop-Tart, has become a beloved and iconic breakfast pastry enjoyed by millions around the world. Post’s legacy will forever be tied to this tasty treat that continues to bring joy and satisfaction to people of all ages.

– “Bill Post, Father of the Pop-Tart, Dies at”
– “Bill Post, Father of the Pop-Tart, Passes Away at”.