William "Bill" Post, the inventive mind behind the beloved Pop-Tart has passed away at the age of 96.

Credit: MKD Funeral Home / The Vintage Company via YouTube
Credit: MKD Funeral Home / The Vintage Company via YouTube
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Bill was raised on the south side of Grand Rapids, one of seven children of Dutch immigrants, and graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School.

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In 1967 Post moved to Illinois and began working at the corporate offices of the Keebler Company.

Post, who was the plant manager for Keebler, played a major role in creating the iconic toaster pastry.

How The Pop-Tart Was Invented

In 1964, Kellogg approached Keebler, seeking a product for the toaster.

Credit: The Vintage Company via YouTube
Credit: The Vintage Company via YouTube
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Post and his team developed the now-famous pastry with its signature frosting and fruit fillings.

pop tart and toaster
Credit: Canva
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The process involved innovative techniques, such as layering dough and perfecting the frosting to withstand the heat of a toaster.

What Were Pop-Tarts Original Flavors?

The original flavors strawberry, cinnamon sugar, blueberry, and apple currant were a hit and quickly gained popularity, especially among kids.

Credit: The Vintage Company via YouTube
Credit: The Vintage Company via YouTube
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Post's children even served as taste testers for the early versions.

Credit: The Vintage Company via YouTube
Credit: The Vintage Company via YouTube
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Now in 2024, there are 20 standard Pop-Tarts flavors

Kellogg's To End Use Of Environmentally-Harming Sources Of Palm Oil
Getty Images
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Pop-Tarts Goes Nationwide

The success of the Pop-Tart led to its nationwide launch in 1964, and it has since become a breakfast staple for millions of people.

The next time you grab a Pop-Tart from the vending machine at work or throw a box in your shopping cart at the store make sure you remember William "Bill" Post and his amazing team that gave us this iconic treat.

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