Sliced bread

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Sliced bread is a type of bread that has been pre-sliced with a machine and packaged for convenience. It was first sold in 1928, and it has since become a staple in many households around the world.

History

The concept of sliced bread was first introduced by Otto Frederick Rohwedder, an American inventor. Rohwedder built a prototype bread-slicing machine in 1912, but it was destroyed in a fire. He rebuilt the machine, and on July 7, 1928, the Chillicothe Baking Company in Chillicothe, Missouri became the first bakery to sell pre-sliced bread using Rohwedder's machine. The product was marketed as "the greatest forward step in the baking industry since bread was wrapped," leading to the popular phrase "the best thing since sliced bread."

Impact

The introduction of sliced bread had a significant impact on the baking industry and consumer habits. It made bread more convenient to use, especially for making sandwiches and toast. The popularity of sliced bread also led to the development of new types of bread and bread products, such as white bread, whole wheat bread, and multigrain bread.

Production

Sliced bread is typically produced in large-scale bakeries using automated machinery. The process involves baking the bread, cooling it, and then slicing it with high-speed blades. The sliced bread is then packaged in plastic bags or other types of packaging to keep it fresh.

Cultural References

The phrase "the best thing since sliced bread" has become a common idiom in the English language, used to describe an innovative or highly beneficial development. Sliced bread has also been referenced in various forms of popular culture, including television, film, and literature.

See Also

• Bread
• Sandwich
• Toast
• Baking
• Otto Frederick Rohwedder