When Was Sliced Bread Invented: A Crust-to-Crust History

“Toast of the town,” “the greatest thing since sliced bread,” or simply a convenient everyday staple – sliced bread has undeniably become an integral part of our lives.

It’s hard to imagine when we didn’t have the convenience of pre-sliced loaves readily available at our local grocery stores. But when was sliced bread invented, and how did it revolutionize our daily routines?

To uncover the intriguing story behind this kitchen innovation, we’ll delve into the history of sliced bread, tracing its roots from ancient civilizations to the modern, automated processes that produce the neatly sliced loaves we enjoy today.

The Ancient Origins of Bread

To truly appreciate the invention of sliced bread, we should start at the beginning – the history of bread itself.

Bread has been a fundamental food source for humans for thousands of years.

Ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all had their variations of bread.

Grains like wheat, barley, and millet were ground into flour and mixed with water to create a dough.

Using an open fire, the dough was baked, unleashing heat’s transformative power and turning it into a nourishing and easily portable food source.

Slicing was not a consideration at this point.

The art of bread-making was practised by various cultures, from the Egyptians to the Greeks and Romans, with each civilization contributing to the development of bread in its unique way.

These early breads were typically unleavened, dense, and labour-intensive to prepare.

The Evolution of Bread-Making Techniques

The Introduction of Leavening Agents

While the exact date of yeast’s discovery remains uncertain, ancient Egyptians are believed to have been the first to use yeast to ferment dough, giving rise to what we now recognize as leavened bread.

This concept seems lost to history before being rediscovered in the Middle Ages.

The use of yeast in the Middle Ages led to the development of lighter, more flavourful bread.

In those days, yeast was scooped from the beer during the brewing process.

Slicing Bread in Ancient Times

However, slicing remained an unexplored concept.

The bread was typically broken or torn into pieces as needed by hand or with small knives. This led to inconsistent sizes and uneven portions.

The Industrial Revolution and Bread Production

The Industrial Revolution, which began in the late 18th century, brought about monumental changes in many aspects of society, including bread production.

Prior to this period, bread was typically made by hand in small-scale bakeries or homes.

However, with the advent of industrial machinery and the development of baker’s yeast, explicitly grown for bread making, bread production underwent a significant transformation.

Otto Frederick Rohwedder: The Inventor of Sliced Bread

The story of sliced bread’s invention can be attributed to Otto Frederick Rohwedder, a talented inventor and entrepreneur from Davenport, Iowa.

Rohwedder’s journey towards revolutionizing bread consumption began in the early 20th century.

The Initial Idea

In 1912, Rohwedder, a former jeweller, conceived the idea of a machine that could slice bread evenly.

He realized that achieving uniform slices was essential for consumer acceptance.

His concept was met with scepticism by bakers and investors alike, who questioned the practicality of such an invention.

Overcoming Challenges

Selling his jewellery stores, Rohwedder invested everything into his latest project.

He faced numerous challenges during the development of his bread-slicing machine. One of the main hurdles was designing a device to slice the bread uniformly and hold the slices together.

It took him years of trial and error to perfect his invention.

Sadly, in 1917, a fire broke out in his factory. The blaze destroyed his prototype and all of his blueprints. Rohwedder had to start again.

The Final Breakthrough!!

1927, after many years of experimentation and refinement, Rohwedder finally succeeded.

He invented a machine that could slice and package bread, maintaining the integrity of the slices. The key to his invention was using pins to hold the slices together, allowing for easy packaging.

The first sliced bread

With a working machine, Rohwedder approached a local bakery in Chillicothe, Missouri, owned by Frank Bench.

On July 7, 1928, the Chillicothe Baking Company introduced the first-ever loaf of sliced bread to the world using Rohwedder’s machine.

The loaf was aptly named “Kleen Maid Sliced Bread.”

The Sliced Bread Boom

The automatic toaster

1928 saw the convenient launch of the automatic bread toaster. People could now enjoy toasting their bread without needing to turn on the broiler.

The requirement for bread to be evenly sliced so it toasted evenly on both sides became even more desirable.

The convenience of pre-sliced bread became undeniable, and Rohwedder’s invention was to be launched at the perfect time!

Wonder Bread and the Birth of a Brand

Wonder Bread was one of the earliest and most well-known brands to embrace sliced bread.

In 1930, Taggart Baking Company of Indianapolis introduced Wonder Bread, marketed as “The greatest forward step in the baking industry since bread was wrapped.”

The slogan “The greatest thing since sliced bread” emerged around this time, highlighting the profound impact of pre-sliced loaves on consumers’ lives.

The Public’s Reaction

The introduction of sliced bread was met with mixed reactions initially.

While some consumers embraced the convenience of pre-sliced bread, others were sceptical and preferred to slice their bread at home.

Bakers, too, were divided; some saw the potential for increased sales, while others worried about the freshness of pre-sliced loaves.

This negativity was quickly squashed as consumers appreciated the time-saving aspect, and bakers recognized the potential for increased sales and reduced waste.

In 1933, bakeries began selling more sliced bread than unsliced bread.

Sliced Bread during World War II

During World War II, sliced bread was vital in feeding American households.

Sliced bread was promoted as a way to save valuable resources, including time and materials.

The convenience it offered was especially appreciated during times of rationing and shortages.

The U.S. government even regulated the thickness of slices to ensure consistency in the production of sandwiches for the military.

Sliced bread was considered an essential part of the war effort, with slogans like “Uncle Sam’s Bread” emphasizing its significance.

Standardization of Bread Sizes

The widespread adoption of sliced bread also led to standardising bread loaf sizes.

Before the invention of the bread slicing machine, loaves of bread came in a variety of shapes and sizes, making it challenging to produce consistent sandwiches.

The uniformity introduced by sliced bread facilitated the growth of the sandwich industry.

What happened to the inventor of sliced bread?

Otto Frederick Rohwedder did not become rich from his invention.

In 1929, just as the Davenport-based Mac-Roh Sales and Manufacturing Company was beginning to thrive, the Great Depression hit.

He was forced to sell rights to his invention and machines to Micro-Westco Co. of Bettendorf, Iowa.

The business formed a Rohwedder Bakery Machine Division and hired Rohwedder as a vice president and sales manager.

His fame made him a regular guest speaker at industry and innovator events.

He lived a quiet life in Louisiana with his wife and two children. He retired at age 71 and passed away nine years later.

The original bread slicing machine can be viewed at the Smithsonian Institution Behring Center.

Technological Advances in Bread Production

As demand for sliced bread grew, so did the need for efficient and high-capacity bread slicing machines.

Over the years, technological advancements have enabled bakeries to produce sliced bread on a massive scale.

These machines are capable of slicing and packaging thousands of loaves per hour, ensuring a steady supply of pre-sliced bread to meet consumer demand.

In addition to automated slicing machines, various innovations have emerged to improve the quality and convenience of sliced bread.

This includes innovations in bread packaging to maintain freshness and improvements in the slicing process to ensure even, thin slices.

Sliced Bread in the Modern Era

Today, sliced bread is a ubiquitous staple in households around the world. It comes in a multitude of varieties, from classic white and wheat to artisanal and speciality loaves.

The convenience of sliced bread extends beyond sandwiches; it is a versatile ingredient used in everything from French toast to bread pudding.

The evolution of sliced bread has also kept pace with changing dietary preferences and health considerations.

Consumers can now choose from a wide range of options, including whole grain, gluten-free, and low-carb bread varieties, each catering to specific dietary needs.

The greatest thing since sliced bread

The phrase “the greatest thing since sliced bread” became popular during the mid-20th century.

It expresses the idea that something was a significant advancement or innovation. Sliced bread had become synonymous with convenience and progress.

Conclusion: The Ever-Present Convenience

In conclusion, sliced bread’s invention revolutionised how we approach one of our most fundamental foods. While bread itself has ancient origins, the advent of sliced bread brought convenience, consistency, and a touch of modernity to our daily lives.

Otto Frederick Rohwedder’s bread slicing machine, introduced in 1928, set in motion a chain of events that transformed the bread industry, standardizing loaf sizes and paving the way for the sandwich culture we know today.

Whether toasted with butter or stacked high with your favourite fillings, the convenience and versatility of sliced bread continue to define the phrase “the greatest thing since sliced bread.”