Betty Crocker

I have some shocking news to share with you all. I would spare you this disclosure, but I think it’s important for us all to know, especially at this time of the year. There is no Betty Crocker. Good thing I was sitting down as I was researching company names and stumbled upon this juicy tidbit. According to the book, From Altoids to Zima by Evan Morris, Betty Crocker was “born” in 1921. One of the largest milling companies in the US, the Washburn Crosby Company, needed a way to personalize responses to all the people who wrote in with questions about their baking products. Betty Crocker was an invented character that people could write to with their questions; similar to Dear Ann (but without the Ann). The name was created from one of the company executives, William Crocker.

Betty was quite the popular character. A few years later she was given her own radio cooking show. Wow! Betty Crocker was like Rachel Ray (without the Rachel)!

In the 1930′s, the company created an image for Betty Crocker by combining features of several women who worked in the company. Her image changed 7 times between 1930 and 1996; each time showing a more youthful rendition. It appears that General Mills has all but abandoned Betty’s image today, electing to use the logo and accompanying signature.

With holiday baking in full swing, I thought it was important to make note of this entertaining morsel. I don’t know about you, but when I’m baking I’m always imagining that I’ll produce some delectable and beautifully-displayed dish. Something you’d see in a magazine ad (possibly sponsored by the likes of a company like Betty Crocker). My family will sit around the table and pause with open-mouthed admiration before they eat; and I’ll hear moans of happiness as they savor each bite. It’s quite an unrealistic fantasy, but hey, you have to live for something!

In the 1950′s Betty Crocker was like the Martha Stewart of today (except without the Martha). Betty could do it all…and in pearls! Let’s disregard the realness of people like Ann Landers, Rachel Ray, and Martha Stewart (they conflict with the conclusion I’ve come up with). It’s comforting to know that a character like Betty Crocker is fictional. It means I don’t have to live up to some other preconceived notion of a fabulous meal. And during the hectic holiday seasons, there’s enough pressure as it is; we can come up with our own definitions of fabulous!