James Dewar | |
---|---|
Born |
James Alexander Dewar February 5, 1897 Pugwash, Nova Scotia |
Died | June 30, 1985 Downers Grove, Illinois |
(aged 88)
Occupation | Executive |
Years active | 1920-1972 |
Employer | Hostess Brands |
Known for | Inventor of the Twinkie |
Spouse(s) | Sylvia D. Dewar |
Children | 2 |
Parent(s) | Allen Dewar Louisa Gray Dewar |
James Alexander Dewar (February 5, 1897 – June 30, 1985) was a Canadian inventor of the Twinkie.
James Dewar was born on February 5, 1897 in Pugwash River, Nova Scotia
As a young man, Dewar worked on boats shipping timber and limestone, arriving in Chicago on a laker. Dewar worked at the Continental Baking Company, which later through a series of mergers and acquisitions became Hostess Brands. He started as a delivery boy in 1920 by delivering pastries by horse-drawn cart. Dewar eventually rose up through the ranks to be a plant manager.
In 1931, Dewar's plant was making strawberry shortcakes but only during strawberry season. Dewar came up with an idea to create a shortcake with cream on the inside instead of strawberries. Having seen a billboard for a shoe company called the "Twinkle Toe Shoe Co." he was inspired to call his shortcake invention a "Twinkie".
Dewar rose to be regional vice-president at Hostess and held that position until 1972.
Dewar died on June 30, 1985 in Downers Grove, Illinois, at the age of 88.