Who is Otto Frederick Rohwedder?

@Bensen32 (28658)
United States
December 11, 2019 2:00pm CST
I just read a post by @1hopefulman in which asked about accomplishments and failures of man and it reminded me of this. One of the greatest accomplishments of man that became a little saying that I jokingly use quite a bit and maybe you have too. "the best thing since sliced bread" Have you heard this saying? Do you know who this man was that accomplished this? Otto Frederick Rohwedder invented the first single loaf bread-slicing machine. His first prototype was made in 1912 but was destroyed by a fire but in 1928 he had the first working machine. On July 7th 1928, the Chillicothe Baking Company out of Missouri sold the first slices. Also in 1928, W.E. Long who promoted the Holsum Bread brand pioneered and promoted the packaging of sliced bread. It wasn't till 1930 that Wonder Bread took the sliced bread idea nation wide. In the 1930's America started to consume more bread due to the convenience of the pre-sliced and packaged bread. So much so that on 18th of January 1943 the U.S. ban on sliced bread went into affect. The idea was to save on flour and reduce the cost of bread and also to save on the use of wax paper. This was met with many complains, so much so that in New York City, Mayor LaGuardia made a statement that those bakeries that had slicing machines could continue to use them. The ban met with such resistance across the country that on the 8th of March 1943 the band was lifted. Sliced bread was available again across the country. As a bread lover I am very thankful that Mr. Rohwedder came up with this idea. It sure made making toast and sandwiches so much easier.
9 people like this
9 responses
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
11 Dec 19
I too am a bread lover and am very thankful he came up with the idea as well.
3 people like this
@Bensen32 (28658)
• United States
11 Dec 19
So much easier than having to cut it all up myself. Wow, that kind of makes me sound very lazy.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (502187)
• Italy
12 Dec 19
Now that you mention, I remember the name. He invented the first automatic bread-slicing machine for commercial use. I was fascinated by those little machines used in French bakeries to slice bread.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502187)
• Italy
12 Dec 19
@Bensen32 There are so many that made life easier for workers.
1 person likes this
@Bensen32 (28658)
• United States
12 Dec 19
Another one of those minor inventions that most people don't even think about.
1 person likes this
@Bensen32 (28658)
• United States
12 Dec 19
@LadyDuck yea, just think about all the inventions that have made life easier. There are to many to name, like everything really. Pretty much everything invented was made to make things easier or faster, I mean why would you invent something to make things harder to do. That sounds like something the government would do LOL
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
11 Dec 19
I’ve heard that saying, but never used it. I think sliced bread of any kind it one of the best inventions.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
12 Dec 19
@Bensen32 My grandmother used to slice her bread from a loaf I remember. I would never eat bread again if I had to cut each slice.
1 person likes this
@Bensen32 (28658)
• United States
12 Dec 19
@DianneN Right, it's alright sometimes but not everyday.
1 person likes this
@Bensen32 (28658)
• United States
12 Dec 19
Right? Like can you imagine having to cut your own bread every time you want a sandwich or toast or just a small amount to eat with something.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381760)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Dec 19
Good for Rohwedder. Sliced bread is certainly very handy.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381760)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Dec 19
@Bensen32 For sure and the slices are a consistent thickness too.
1 person likes this
@Bensen32 (28658)
• United States
12 Dec 19
@JudyEv yes, every once in a while a friend makes fresh homemade bread and when I try to cut it no two slices are the same.
1 person likes this
@Bensen32 (28658)
• United States
12 Dec 19
saves a lot of time of cutting it yourself.
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (59987)
• Philippines
12 Dec 19
Thanks for this info. I never thought that Otto Frederick Rohwedder invented the slicing bread machine. I thought sliced breads are manually done.
1 person likes this
@Bensen32 (28658)
• United States
12 Dec 19
Nope, that would be to hard to get them all the same size cut.
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (59987)
• Philippines
12 Dec 19
@Bensen32 Yes it is of course.
1 person likes this
• Mexico
11 Dec 19
I didin't know it was him who invented that! I love bread!
1 person likes this
@Bensen32 (28658)
• United States
12 Dec 19
Now you know
1 person likes this
• Mexico
12 Dec 19
@Bensen32 I do I do
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54714)
• United States
12 Dec 19
I bet that many are grateful for his invention.
1 person likes this
@Bensen32 (28658)
• United States
12 Dec 19
I bet many don't even think about it, they just assume that is how the bread is made and think nothing of it.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
11 Dec 19
I never knew the history of sliced bread. I had heard the old saying.
1 person likes this
@Bensen32 (28658)
• United States
12 Dec 19
LOL, he's like a hero of mine, cause I love bread.
@florelway (23339)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
11 Dec 19
Thanks for sharing.
1 person likes this