Doumak facts for kids

Doumak Inc. is a company based in Illinois, USA. It was started in 1961 by a person named Alex Doumak. This company is well-known for making delicious marshmallows! They even hold a special patent for the unique way they produce marshmallows, which is called the extrusion process. In 2005, Doumak Inc. made about US$50 million in sales.

The Story of Doumak Marshmallows

Doumak Inc. has a long history of making marshmallows. They first started way back in 1921. At that time, they made marshmallows in Los Angeles, California. These marshmallows were made using a method called "cast mold." This meant they poured the marshmallow mixture into molds to shape them.

A Sweet Invention

Something big happened in 1954. Alex Doumak, the company's founder, invented a brand-new way to make marshmallows. He even got a patent for it! This new method is called the extrusion process.

This invention was a game-changer! Before this, marshmallows were quite expensive and hard to make in large amounts. But with the extrusion process, Doumak could make huge numbers of marshmallows very quickly and cheaply. This meant marshmallows went from being a special, expensive treat to an everyday sweet that everyone could enjoy. They also became a favorite ingredient for many recipes, like s'mores!

Moving and Growing

In 1961, the Doumak family decided to move their company. They moved it to a new location near Chicago, Illinois, where it is still located today.

The company kept growing! In 2003, Doumak bought another well-known marshmallow brand called "Campfire." This helped them make even more marshmallows. To handle the extra production, Doumak opened a second factory in the Chicago area.