James Dewar (baker)

James Dewar
James Dewar
Born	James Alexander Dewar; February 5, 1897; Pugwash, Nova Scotia, Canada
Died	June 30, 1985 (aged 88); Downers Grove, Illinois, US
Other names	Mr. Twinkie
Occupation	Executive
Years active	1920–1972
Employer	Hostess Brands
Known for	Twinkies
Notable work	Invention of the Twinkie
Spouse	Sylvia D. Dewar
Children	4 (including Jim Dewar)

James Alexander Dewar (February 5, 1897 – June 30, 1985) was a Canadian inventor known for inventing the Twinkie in 1930.

Career

Dewar began his career in 1920 at the Continental Baking Company that later, through a series of mergers and acquisitions, became Hostess Brands. He started as a delivery boy by delivering pastries by horse-drawn cart. Dewar eventually rose up through the ranks to be a plant manager.

In 1930, 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".^[1]

Dewar rose to be regional vice-president at Hostess and held that position until 1972.^[2]

Personal life

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.^[3]

Dewar had 4 kids with one of them being Cleveland Browns half-back James Dewar Jr. Dewar had a total of 15 grandchildren as well. Dewar also said he would give his kids and grandchildren Twinkies regularly, though he said that it never affected any of their health.^[4] Some people said that Dewar had at least 3 twinkies and a glass of milk before he went to bed though that was never confirmed nor denied by Dewar.^[5]

Dewar died on June 30, 1985, in Downers Grove, Illinois, at the age of 88.^[6]

References

^ Belcher, Jerry (July 3, 1985). "Man Who Concocted the Twinkie Dies : James A. Dewar's Treat Is Part of America's Diet and Folklore". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-08-03. It was Dewar's inspiration to fill the cakes with a sugar-cream mixture, the formula for which is still a tightly held secret. Many of his family members worked in the plant.
^ "James Dewar, Inventor Of The Twinkle, Dies". Los Angeles Times. July 2, 1985. Retrieved 2011-04-06. Dewar, who said he ate at least two packets of Twinkies a week, vigorously defended the wholesomeness of the snack, which has been described as the "cream ...
^ "Dewar.pdf". Google Docs. Retrieved 2016-12-02.
^ "Man Who Concocted the Twinkie Dies". Los Angeles Times. 3 July 1985. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
^ "James Dewar Profile". Oak Park River Forest Museum. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
^ "Man Who Concocted the Twinkie Dies". Los Angeles Times. 3 July 1985. Retrieved 2021-04-13.

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[1] Belcher, Jerry (July 3, 1985). "Man Who Concocted the Twinkie Dies : James A. Dewar's Treat Is Part of America's Diet and Folklore". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-08-03. It was Dewar's inspiration to fill the cakes with a sugar-cream mixture, the formula for which is still a tightly held secret. Many of his family members worked in the plant.

[2] "James Dewar, Inventor Of The Twinkle, Dies". Los Angeles Times. July 2, 1985. Retrieved 2011-04-06. Dewar, who said he ate at least two packets of Twinkies a week, vigorously defended the wholesomeness of the snack, which has been described as the "cream ...

[3] "Dewar.pdf". Google Docs. Retrieved 2016-12-02.

[4] "Man Who Concocted the Twinkie Dies". Los Angeles Times. 3 July 1985. Retrieved 2021-04-13.

[5] "James Dewar Profile". Oak Park River Forest Museum. Retrieved 2021-04-13.

[6] "Man Who Concocted the Twinkie Dies". Los Angeles Times. 3 July 1985. Retrieved 2021-04-13.

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