The Beginnings of Kellogg's Flaked Cereal

Name: The Beginnings of Kellogg's Flaked Cereal
Start: 1885-05-31
Location: Unspecified

The Birth of Flaked Cereal

In 1885, a groundbreaking innovation emerged from Battle Creek, Michigan, when Dr. John Harvey Kellogg filed a patent application for a revolutionary product: the flaked cereal. This patent application was not only a pivotal moment in the history of breakfast foods but also marked the beginning of a fierce rivalry that would shape the food industry.

Dr. John Harvey Kellogg and His Vision

Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, a physician and nutritionist, believed in promoting health through a balanced diet. His work at the Battle Creek Sanitarium was focused on healthy living and dietary innovations. The filing of his patent for flaked cereal reflected his commitment to provide nutritious options. The process he developed involved cooking grains, letting them cool, and then rolling them into thin flakes to be toasted, making breakfast both convenient and healthful.

The Exclusion of Will Keith Kellogg

However, this invention wasn't without conflict. Dr. Kellogg controversially excluded his younger brother Will Keith Kellogg from the patent application. Will, who was less focused on the health aspect and more inclined towards marketing and sales, felt excluded from the very product they both had worked on together. This discord would ultimately lead to a significant split in their partnership and set the stage for the creation of one of America's largest cereal companies.

The Rise of a Breakfast Revolution

The flaked cereal patent led to a wide variety of breakfast cereals that would later dominate store shelves across the country. It opened the doors not just for the Kellogg company, but for the entire cereal industry.

The Influence of Dr. John Harvey Kellogg

Today, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg is often remembered for his health consciousness and the role he played in the early food industry. His beliefs promoted healthier eating, affecting cereal production trends for decades to come. This led to innovations focused on providing consumers with quick, easy meal options that also prioritized nutrition.

The Legacy of Will Keith Kellogg

After the fallout with his brother, Will Keith Kellogg founded the Kellogg Company, which took full advantage of the flaked cereal patent. Under Will's leadership, Kellogg's established itself as a household name, creating iconic products such as Corn Flakes and Rice Krispies.

Fun Fact

The Original Corn Flakes Recipe

Interestingly, the original recipe for Corn Flakes was developed as a part of Dr. Kellogg's commitment to a healthy diet aimed at reducing sexual urges. The intention behind the creation of such cereals had health and lifestyle reforms in mind.