FEBRUARY 12 - Today in Food History
- National Plum Pudding Day
- St. Julian the Hospitaler, patron of travelers and innkeepers.
1791 Peter Cooper was born. American inventor and founder of the 'Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art.' He also obtained the first American patent for the manufacture of gelatin. In 1895, a cough syrup manufacturer, Pearl B. Wait purchased the patent and developed a packaged gelatin dessert. Wait's wife, May David Wait named it Jell-O.
1809 Charles Darwin was born. English naturalist who developed the 'theory of evolution,' inspired in large part by his visit to the isolated Galapagos Islands. His works include 'Origin of Species' and 'The Descent of Man.'
1872 Silas Noble and James P. Cooley of Massachusetts patented a toothpick making machine.
1881 Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova was born (according to the new Gregorian calendar; January 31 on the Julian calendar). A famous dessert of Australian or New Zealand origin was named for her.
See October 4 for more information on the calendar adjustment.
1935 (Georges-) Auguste Escoffier died. "the king of chefs and the chef of kings."
1961 'Shop Around' by 'The Miracles' becomes Motown Records first million selling single.
1973 The first metric distance road signs in the U.S., were erected between Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio.
1976 The popular food coloring, Red Dye No. 2, was banned by the FDA because studies had shown it might cause cancer. Red M&Ms disappeared for 11 years because of the ban.
2000 Charles M. Schulz died. American cartoonist, best known for the 'Peanuts' comic strip.
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