James Dewar (baker)

James Alexander Dewar (February 5, 1897 – June 30, 1985) was a Canadian inventor known for inventing the Twinkie in 1931.

For other people with the same name, see James Dewar (disambiguation).
James Dewar
Born
James Alexander Dewar

(1897-02-05)February 5, 1897
Pugwash, Nova Scotia
DiedJune 30, 1985(1985-06-30) (aged 88)
Downers Grove, Illinois
Other namesMr. Twinkie
OccupationExecutive
Years active1920–1972
EmployerHostess Brands
Known forTwinkies
Notable workInvention of the Twinkie
SpouseSylvia D. Dewar
Children4 (including Jim Dewar)
Parent(s)Allen Dewar
Louisa Gray Dewar

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 1931, 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 and at the time was survived by 2 daughters, 15 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.[6]

References
  1. Belcher, Jerry (July 3, 1985). "Man Who Concocted the Twinkie Dies : James A. Dewar's Treat Is Part of America's Diet and Folklore". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-08-03. 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.
  2. "James Dewar, Inventor Of The Twinkle, Dies". Los Angeles Times. July 2, 1985. Retrieved 2011-04-06. 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 ...
  3. "Dewar.pdf". Google Docs. Retrieved 2016-12-02.
  4. "Man Who Concocted the Twinkie Dies". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  5. "James Dewar Profile". Oak Park River Forest Museum. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  6. "Man Who Concocted the Twinkie Dies". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2021-04-13.


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