List of days of the year

07 July - Sliced bread sold for the first time

 


07 July 1928, marks a significant milestone in culinary history—the first sale of pre-sliced bread. This innovation revolutionized the way people consumed and thought about bread, leading to the popular saying, "the greatest thing since sliced bread." Here’s a detailed look at this event:

The Invention

  • Inventor: Otto Frederick Rohwedder, an American inventor, created the first bread-slicing machine. He spent many years developing the machine and overcoming challenges related to keeping the bread fresh after slicing.
  • Machine Development: Rohwedder's prototype included a mechanism for slicing bread and wrapping it in wax paper to keep it fresh. This was crucial as pre-sliced bread needed to maintain its freshness longer than unsliced loaves.

First Sale

  • Location: The first sale of pre-sliced bread took place in Chillicothe, Missouri.
  • Bakery: The Chillicothe Baking Company was the first to use Rohwedder's bread-slicing machine. They marketed the bread as “Kleen Maid Sliced Bread.”
  • Date: July 7, 1928, marked the first commercial sale of this sliced bread.

Impact and Popularity

  • Convenience: The innovation made bread more convenient for consumers, saving time and effort in slicing bread at home.
  • Popularity: Sliced bread quickly gained popularity and became a household staple. The convenience of pre-sliced bread contributed to the rise in the consumption of sandwiches and other bread-based meals.
  • Marketing Success: The success of sliced bread was also driven by effective marketing campaigns that highlighted its convenience and uniform slices.

Cultural Impact

  • Expression: The phrase “the greatest thing since sliced bread” emerged, symbolizing a groundbreaking innovation.
  • Daily Life: Sliced bread became a part of daily life, influencing how people prepared meals and snacks.

Legacy

  • Modern Bread Industry: The invention of sliced bread paved the way for the modern bread industry, with various innovations in baking and packaging following.
  • Otto Frederick Rohwedder: Rohwedder's contribution to the food industry is still celebrated today, with his invention recognized as a significant milestone.

Celebrations and Commemorations

  • Anniversary: July 7 is often celebrated by baking enthusiasts and history buffs as the anniversary of sliced bread.
  • Chillicothe, Missouri: The town of Chillicothe takes pride in its place in history and occasionally commemorates the event.

The invention of sliced bread was more than just a convenience; it represented a leap in food processing and consumer convenience, earning its place as a significant milestone in food history.

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