The Cereal Killer

Summary

The invention of breakfast cereal marked a turning point in modern eating habits, blending health-conscious innovation with industrial progress. During the late 19th century, many Americans consumed heavy, meat-based breakfasts, which were criticized by health reformers for contributing to widespread digestive issues and lethargy. It was against this backdrop that breakfast cereal was born—a light, convenient, and nutritious alternative that would revolutionize morning meals.

Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, a prominent health reformer and director of the Battle Creek Sanitarium in Michigan, played a pivotal role in this transformation. Guided by his Seventh-day Adventist beliefs, Kellogg advocated for vegetarian diets and simple, unprocessed foods. In 1894, he and his brother, Will Keith Kellogg, inadvertently created the first flaked cereal while experimenting with boiled wheat dough. The flakes were originally served to sanitarium patients, quickly gaining popularity for their digestibility and appeal.

However, it wasn’t until Charles William Post, a patient at the sanitarium, entered the scene that cereal began its commercial rise. Inspired by the Kelloggs’ experiments, Post developed his own brand, "Grape-Nuts," in 1897. Unlike the Kelloggs, who initially viewed cereal as a tool for promoting health, Post aggressively marketed his product as a convenient and modern breakfast choice. His advertising strategies, which included bold health claims, brought cereal into the spotlight.