From flour mills to Nerf balls, the history of General Mills is rich and diverse. From Betty Crocker to Bullwinkle, from the Lone Ranger to the Pillsbury Doughboy, General Mills has been involved with some of history's most memorable characters. Our company has played supporting roles in the exploration of the Titanic and in launching the career of Ronald Reagan. But, from the beginning, we have remained steadfast in our dedication to consumers and to providing innovative new products.
Our Milling Roots and Beyond |
 | General Mills traces its roots to the banks of the Mississippi River in what is now Minneapolis. Harnessing the power of St. Anthony Falls, Cadwallader Washburn built one of the leading milling companies in the world; and through a merger of regional millers, the Washburn Crosby Company became General Mills in 1928. |
 | Factsheet [ Acrobat 175 K ] |
 |
The Pillsbury Doughboy |
 | Giggling his way to spokescharacter superstardom, Poppin' Fresh, the Pillsbury Doughboy, first introduced himself to TV viewers across the nation in 1965. Announcing "Hi, I'm Poppin' Fresh," he sang, "Nothin' says lovin' like something from the oven, and Pillsbury says it best." Since his creation, the Pillsbury Doughboy has become one of history's most popular advertising icons. |
| | Factsheet [ Acrobat 131 K ] |
|
Green Giant |
 | When the Minnesota Valley Canning Company named its new, extra-large green pea variety "Green Giant," no one dreamed that one day it would become the company's name. Today, the Green Giant and his helper, Sprout, still live happily in their valley growing vegetables picked at the "fleeting moment of perfect flavor." The Green Giant Company has been part of General Mills since 2001. |
| Factsheet [ Acrobat 131 K ] |
|
The Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest |
 | In 1949, Pillsbury Mills, Inc. held the "Grand National Recipe and Baking Contest" to celebrate the company's 80th birthday. The response was overwhelming, and the Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest, as it was dubbed, was born. Over the years, the Bake-Off Contest has produced winning recipes that have become classics, such as the Tunnel of Fudge Cake and Peanut Blossoms. |
| Factsheet [ Acrobat 127 K ] |
|
Betty Crocker |
 | It surprises many consumers to learn that Betty Crocker isn't a real person — and never has been. Betty Crocker began as a pen name in 1921 to answer cooking-related questions that were sent to the Washburn Crosby Company. From those humble beginnings, this advertising icon has grown to become one of the most recognizable brands in the grocery store. |
| Factsheet [ Acrobat 576 K ] |
|
Wheaties |
 | Like many great inventions, Wheaties cereal was discovered by accident. When a health clinician spilled bran gruel on a hot stove, it crackled and sizzled into a crisp flake. It tasted good, and the clinician knew that he had discovered a good idea. He brought the idea to the Washburn Crosby Company, where the cereal that would become "The Breakfast of Champions" was born in 1924. |
| Factsheet [ Acrobat 294 K ] |
|
Bisquick |
 | Baking mixes may seem standard these days, but Bisquick was a revolutionary new product when it was introduced in 1931. Never before had a pre-mixed baking mix appeared on grocery shelves. Consumers loved it, and Bisquick remains the category leader today. |
| Factsheet [ Acrobat 200 K ] |
|
Radio and TV |
 | General Mills was a broadcasting pioneer, purchasing a fledgling radio station in Minneapolis in 1924, and using the new medium to advertise and promote its products in innovative ways. The company's radio programs included the Betty Crocker Cooking School of the Air, Jack Armstrong, The All-American Boy and The Lone Ranger. A Wheaties radio baseball sponsorship even helped a young broadcaster from WHO in Des Moines, Iowa, named Ronald "Dutch" Reagan find his way to Hollywood. |
| Factsheet [ Acrobat 241 K ] |
|
General Mills: History of Innovation |
 | From flour to submarines, from toys to restaurants, General Mills has been making a difference in people's lives for over 75 years. |
| |
