Pre-sliced Bread
On 7 July 1928, a revolutionary innovation changed the way people consumed bread: the introduction of pre-sliced bread.
Otto Frederick Rohwedder (1880-1960), an inventor from Missouri, perfected the machine that would forever alter the baking industry.
Working with the Chillicothe Baking Company, Rohwedder’s patented slicing and wrapping machine allowed for bread to be sliced uniformly and packaged for easy consumption.
The first loaf, branded as "Kleen Maid sliced bread," was marketed as a groundbreaking advancement, being hailed as "the greatest forward step in the baking industry since bread was wrapped."
The path to this invention’s success was not without its struggles. Rohwedder faced numerous hurdles in designing his machine and in securing the necessary funding.
His key supporter was baker Frank Bench, who believed in the potential of pre-sliced bread.
Despite skepticism from some quarters about the practicality of the product, once it hit the market, its convenience won over the public.
The ability to buy neatly sliced bread revolutionized daily life, making it easier for families to prepare meals without the hassle of slicing each loaf.
By 1933, pre-sliced bread had captured a dominant share of the market, with 80% of bread sales in the United States coming from pre-sliced loaves.
This invention not only changed the baking industry but also became a part of the cultural lexicon, inspiring the famous idiom "the greatest thing since sliced bread."
Rohwedder’s creation left an indelible mark on history, shaping the way we enjoy one of the most fundamental foods in the world.
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