Inventive Eats
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, August 12th, 2010
Ever wondered how cornflakes were discovered? What is the functional history of a chef’s coat and checkered pants? What food related product and its clever marketing scheme makes me proud of my Okie origins? Why wasn’t Jell-O as popular as the bacon bomb when it made its debut? (The answer to this question cracks me up for all its absurdity, but I’m strictly anti-spoilers here.)
And what about those beloved culinary characters? How was the doughboy or Charlie the Tuna born? Personally, I’ve always had a bit of a school-girl crush on the Jolly Green Giant. Not only does he remind me of a grown-up Peter Pan, he’s happy, strong, my favorite color and rules over an entire valley – what more can I ask of a man?
I realize I am on a question marathon so far. To find the answers, head to the National Inventors Hall of Fame for their new food exhibit Inventive Eats: Incredible Food Innovations. This one-room museum is packed with foodie knowledge while the rest is taken over by a Mr. Peanut mascot large enough to fit the Kool-Aid man. If you happen to have your own food-related invention, just skip over to the patent office across the hall.
Along with your FREE ADMISSION to the exhibit, you get a pack of beans. You heard me. FREE BEANS. I’ve often mistaken the word “free” to be synonymous with “magic,” but even Jack had to trade in a cow to get his sprouts.
- National Inventor’s Hall of Fame
- Madison Building
- 600 Dulany Street
- Alexandria, VA 22314
M-F 9a.m.-5p.m.; Saturday Noon-5p.m.
-Jamel Daugherty
Tags: Inventive Eats, Jolly Green Giant, National Inventors Hall of Fame