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Circa 1905

In 1850, Ferdinand Schumacher founded German Mills American Cereal Company in Akron, Ohio.  During the same period, John Stewart established the North Star Mills Company in Canada. In 1877, Quaker Oats registered as the first trademark for a breakfast cereal.  The trademark was registered with the U.S. Patent Office as "a figure of a man in 'Quaker garb'.  In 1891, the Quacker brand becomes the first brand to feature a recipe on its box.  The recipe was for oatmeal bread. In 1901, American Cereal changed its name to The Quaker Oats Company. In 1922, Quaker introduces Quaker Quick Oats, one of the first convenience products.  In 1966, Quaker Instant Oatmeal is introduced.  In 1970, the first instant oatmeal flavor is introduced being Maple & Brown Sugar.  In 1981, Quaker introduces the world to Quaker Chewy granola bars.  In 1987, actor Wilford Brimley is the first celebrity to work with the Quaker brand.  In 1997, the Quaker brand introduces the first food-specific health claim for oatmeal which is approved by the FDA saying it may improve heart health. 

The iconic cylindrical package was introduced in 1915.  Although Quaker Oats Company states that the "Quaker man" is not meant to resemble or represent an actual person, the company identified the Quaker man as William Penn.

In 1983, Quaker acquired Stokely-Van Camp, Inc. the maker of Van Camp's and Gatorade.  In 2001, PepsiCo bought Quaker Oats for $14 billion, primarily to acquire the Gatorade brand.  

In 1972, Quaker Oats purchased Louis Marx and Company, a company that created one quarter of all toys and trains manufactured in the mid-1950s.  It sold the business after four years.  

In 2017, Quaker celebrated their 140th year anniversary.  Congratulations.  And in honor of this milestone, here is a great recipe for Vanishing Oatmeal Cookies.  Enjoy!