The Food That Built America Snack Sized Season 1 Episode 4 Breaking Breakfast

In season 1 episode 4 of The Food That Built America Snack Sized, viewers are taken on a journey through the history of America's favorite morning meal: breakfast. Titled "Breaking Breakfast", the episode walks viewers through the origins of popular breakfast items, from cereal to frozen waffles.

The episode starts off by introducing viewers to Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, the inventor of corn flakes. Through archival footage and interviews with historians, the show explains how Dr. Kellogg's invention came about as a result of his work at a health spa where he believed a bland diet would prevent people from indulging in sinful behavior. We learn about the marketing techniques that were used to market corn flakes, including a cross-country bicycle race that distributed free samples of the cereal along the way.

The focus then shifts to waffles, and specifically, Eggo waffles. The episode explores the history of the frozen waffle, which was invented in the 1930s by three brothers who started a company called The Dorsa Brothers. We learn about the challenges they faced when trying to sell their product, including convincing people that frozen food could be just as good as fresh food.

Next up is bacon and eggs, which have been a breakfast staple for decades. The show explains how bacon first became popular in the early 1900s, thanks in part to the creation of a new process for curing and smoking pork. Meanwhile, eggs were popularized through marketing campaigns that portrayed them as a wholesome, nutritious breakfast food. Viewers learn about the various ways that bacon and eggs have been marketed over the years, from advertisements in women's magazines to product placements in Hollywood movies.

The episode also touches on coffee, which is a crucial component of many people's morning routines. We learn about how coffee became popular in America, and how it has been marketed and sold over the years. Viewers are introduced to James Folger, who started a coffee company in San Francisco in the 1800s. The episode explains how Folger's marketing strategies helped make his company one of the most successful coffee brands in America.

As the episode draws to a close, the focus shifts to convenience breakfast foods like Pop Tarts and Toaster Strudel. We learn about the history of these products, and how they have been marketed over the years. Through interviews with food historians, we gain insight into the factors that have contributed to the success of these products, including their convenience and the fact that they appeal to children.

Overall, season 1 episode 4 of The Food That Built America Snack Sized provides a fascinating look at the history of breakfast foods in America. Through a combination of archival footage, interviews with historians, and expert commentary, viewers gain a deeper understanding of how breakfast foods have evolved over the years and how they have been marketed to consumers. Whether you are a fan of cereal, frozen waffles, or bacon and eggs, there is something in this episode for everyone.