James Dewar (baker) explained

James Dewar
Birth Name:James Alexander Dewar
Birth Date:5 February 1897
Birth Place:Pugwash, Nova Scotia, Canada
Death Place:Downers Grove, Illinois, US
Other Names:Mr. Twinkie
Occupation:Executive
Years Active:1920–1972
Employer:Hostess Brands
Known For:Twinkies
Notable Works:Invention of the Twinkie
Spouse:Sylvia D. Dewar
Children:4 (including Jim Dewar)

James Alexander Dewar (February 5, 1897 – June 30, 1985) was a Canadian inventor known for inventing the Twinkie in 1930.

Career

Dewar began his career in 1920 at the Continental Baking Company that later, through a series of mergers and acquisitions, became Hostess Brands. He started as a delivery boy by delivering pastries by horse-drawn cart. Dewar eventually rose up through the ranks to be a plant manager.

In 1930, Dewar's plant was making strawberry shortcakes, but only during strawberry season. Dewar came up with an idea to create a shortcake with cream on the inside instead of strawberries. Having seen a billboard for a shoe company called the "Twinkle Toe Shoe Co.", he was inspired to call his shortcake invention a "Twinkie".[1]

Dewar rose to be regional vice-president at Hostess and held that position until 1972.[2]

Personal life

James Dewar was born on February 5, 1897, in Pugwash River, Nova Scotia. As a young man, Dewar worked on boats shipping timber and limestone, arriving in Chicago on a laker.[3]

Dewar had 4 kids with one of them being Cleveland Browns half-back James Dewar Jr. Dewar had a total of 15 grandchildren as well. Dewar also said he would give his kids and grandchildren Twinkies regularly, though he said that it never affected any of their health.[4] Some people said that Dewar had at least 3 twinkies and a glass of milk before he went to bed though that was never confirmed nor denied by Dewar.[5]

Dewar died on June 30, 1985, in Downers Grove, Illinois, at the age of 88.[6]

Notes and References

  1. News: Belcher . Jerry . Man Who Concocted the Twinkie Dies : James A. Dewar's Treat Is Part of America's Diet and Folklore . It was Dewar's inspiration to fill the cakes with a sugar-cream mixture, the formula for which is still a tightly held secret. Many of his family members worked in the plant. . . July 3, 1985 . 2011-08-03.
  2. News: James Dewar, Inventor Of The Twinkle, Dies . Dewar, who said he ate at least two packets of Twinkies a week, vigorously defended the wholesomeness of the snack, which has been described as the "cream ... . . July 2, 1985 . 2011-04-06 .
  3. Web site: Dewar.pdf. Google Docs. 2016-12-02.
  4. Web site: Man Who Concocted the Twinkie Dies. Los Angeles Times. 3 July 1985 . 2021-04-13.
  5. Web site: James Dewar Profile. Oak Park River Forest Museum. 2021-04-13.
  6. Web site: Man Who Concocted the Twinkie Dies. Los Angeles Times. 3 July 1985 . 2021-04-13.