William Post and a box of strawberry Pop-Tarts.Photo:MKD Funeral Homes; Newscast/Universal Images Group via Getty
MKD Funeral Homes; Newscast/Universal Images Group via Getty
William “Bill” Post, the inventor ofPop-Tarts, died on Saturday, Michigan’sMKD Funeral Homeconfirmed to PEOPLE. He was 96.
“We are deeply saddened to share the news that William ‘Bill’ Post passed away over the weekend,” Kellanova, the current manufacturer of Pop-Tarts, told PEOPLE in a statement. “He played an important role in co-creating the iconic Pop-Tarts brand and we are grateful to Bill for his legacy and lasting contributions to our company.”
He then served in the Army Air Corps during WWII. Once he returned to his home state, he attended Calvin College while returning to working at Hekman Biscuit Company.
William Post.MKD Funeral Homes
MKD Funeral Homes
According to the obituary, the popular pastry was originally named “Fruit Scones" before being retooled to pay homage to the Pop Art trend.
“It is at this juncture that Bill is often credited for having invented the Pop Tart. Bill would say, ‘I assembled an amazing team that developed Kellogg’s concept of a shelf-stable toaster pastry into a fine product that we could bring to market in the span of just four months,’ " read his obituary.
Stock image of Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts.Newscast/Universal Images Group via Getty
Newscast/Universal Images Group via Getty
Three years after the launch of the original Pop-Tarts, the Post family moved to Illinois so Bill could work at the Keebler Company’s corporate office.
Post and his wife were married for 72 years before she died in 2020.
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The story behind Post’s invention has been chronicled in the upcoming Netflix comedy movieUnfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story. The film stars Jerry Seinfeld and is set to be released on May 3.
source: people.com
