Marion A. Trozzolo

Marion A. Trozzolo (1925 – June 30, 1992) was an innovator, inventor, entrepreneur, and professor of business at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri. He was the first manufacturer of teflon coated cookware in the United States, and was the developer of the Kansas City entertainment district River Quay.

Trozzolo was born in Castrolibero Italy, and was one of three brothers. His family immigrated to Chicago, Illinois in 1927 for a better life for their children. A veteran of World War II, Trozzolo earned a Silver Star and Purple Heart for his service. After the war, he attended the University of Chicago where he received a bachelor's degree in Philosophy and a Master's degree in Business Administration.

Trozzolo moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 1951 to pursue a career as a professor of business administration and economics at Rockhurst University.

In 1957 he founded Laboratory Plasticware Fabricators producing plastic-coated scientific utensils, including a Teflon-coated magnetic stirring rod. He eventually experimented with coating pans and E. I. duPont deNemours & Company executives endorsed the plan. In 1961 he unveiled the "Happy Pan", a Teflon coated frying pan. Trozzolo sold the company in 1972.

An original Happy Pan is now in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution.

During the Presidency of Ronald Reagan Trozzolo marketed Teflon coat mementos in honor of the "Teflon president." He also donated a Teflon coating for the fence around the Harry S. Truman home in Independence, Missouri.

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