Betty Crocker

Betty Crocker is a brand name and fictional character used in advertising campaigns for food and recipes. The character was originally created by the Washburn Crosby Company in 1921 following a contest in the Saturday Evening Post. Since then, the Betty Crocker brand has been used by several companies, including General Mills, who currently owns the brand.

History

The Betty Crocker character was created to give a personalized response to consumer product questions. The name Betty was selected because it was viewed as a cheery, all-American name. It was paired with the last name Crocker, in honor of William Crocker, a Washburn Crosby Company director.

The character's image has been updated several times over the years, with the first portrait of Betty Crocker released in 1936. This image was a composite of several home economics department members' features. In 1955, artist Neysa McMein created the most recognized image of Betty Crocker, which was updated in 1996.

Betty Crocker Products

Betty Crocker's name and image are used on a variety of food products, including cake mixes, frosting, microwave popcorn, and instant mashed potatoes. The brand also includes a series of cookbooks. The first cookbook was published in 1950 as Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book.

Impact

Betty Crocker has had a significant impact on American cooking and domestic life. The brand has been credited with helping to standardize American cooking measurements, which were previously inconsistent. The Betty Crocker character has also been used to promote the idea that anyone can cook, regardless of their experience or skill level.

See Also

• General Mills
• Advertising
• Brand
• Cookbook