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James A. Dewar James A. Dewar was born in 1897. He moved to Oak Park in 1926 and first lived at 1035 N. Taylor Ave. The Continental Baking Co. of Chicago moved a satellite plant to 7525 Lake St. in River Forest that same year, later to be called Hostess Cake Co. Dewar began with the company in 1920 as a delivery boy, where he would deliver cream-filled cakes in a horse-drawn truck. Over ten years he rose to become the plant’s manager. In 1931, he came up with the idea to place a creamy white filling inside of a small shortcake. The plant sold strawberry shortcakes, but they were only produced during the strawberry season and so the machines would sit idle. His invention became very popular and caused more efficiency within the plant. He had come up with the name “Twinkie” while on a business trip to St. Louis. He saw a billboard ad for the “Twinkle Toe Shoe Co.” He also became the regional vice-president in charge of nine bakeries in the Midwest. He held that position until he retired in 1972 with the company nicknaming him “Mr. Twinkie.” Dewar loved his invention and he claimed that it brought him lasting fame within the Hostess Company. He also claimed that he did it for the company and not for himself. Before Dewar died in 1985, he would brag to everyone that he was a chain smoker and that he would enjoy at least three Twinkies with a glass of milk before bedtime. Even though the Twinkie is considered by many to be junk food, it was Dewar’s crowning success. |
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