Orville Redenbacher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Orville Redenbacher
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Redenbacher in 1979
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Orville Clarence Redenbacher
July 16, 1907 Brazil, Indiana, U.S.
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| Died | September 19, 1995 (aged 88) Coronado, California, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Purdue University |
| Occupation | Food scientist, businessman |
| Years active | 1951–1995 |
Orville Clarence Redenbacher (born July 16, 1907 – died September 19, 1995) was an American food scientist and businessman. He is most famous for the brand of popcorn named after him, Orville Redenbacher's, which is now owned by ConAgra. Many people say he completely changed the American popcorn industry.
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Orville's Early Life and Education
Orville Clarence Redenbacher was born in Brazil, Indiana, on July 16, 1907. He grew up on his family's farm. Even as a kid, he sometimes sold popcorn from the back of his car!
He finished Brazil High School in 1924, being one of the top students. He then went to Purdue University. There, he studied agronomy, which is the science of soil management and crop production. He also played the tuba in the marching band and was on the track team. He graduated from Purdue in 1928.
After college, Orville worked in agriculture for most of his life. He helped farmers in Vigo County, Indiana, and also worked at Princeton Farms in Princeton, Indiana.
Starting a Popcorn Business
Orville Redenbacher might have looked like a simple farmer with his white hair and bow tie. But he was actually a very smart scientist who loved to experiment with different types of plants.
He started his career selling fertilizer. However, he spent all his extra time working with popcorn. He wanted to create the best popcorn ever!
In 1951, Orville and his friend Charlie Bowman bought a seed corn company in Boone Grove, Indiana. They named their new company "Chester Hybrids." They tried out thousands of different hybrid popcorn plants. Finally, they found a special type of popcorn they called "RedBow."
An advertising company suggested they use Orville's own name for the brand. So, in 1970, they launched their new popcorn, calling it "Orville Redenbacher's."
Orville's Popcorn Grows
By the mid-1970s, Orville Redenbacher's popcorn was very popular. It made up one-third of all the unpopped popcorn sold!
Orville then moved to Coronado, California, where he lived for the rest of his life. He became the face of his company, appearing in commercials. He always wore his special glasses and a bow tie.
Sometimes, Orville even appeared in commercials with his grandson, Gary Redenbacher. Some people wondered if Orville was a real person or just an actor. To show he was real, he appeared on many TV talk shows. He even wrote in his book, "I want to make it clear that I am real."
In 1976, Orville sold his company to Hunt-Wesson Foods. Over the years, the popcorn business was sold to a few other large companies. In 1990, it was finally sold to agribusiness giant ConAgra, which still owns it today.
Orville's Family Life
Orville Redenbacher married Corinne Rosemund Strate in 1928. They were married until she passed away in 1971. Later that same year, he married Nina Reder. They were married until she passed away in 1991. Orville had two daughters, Billie Ann Atwood and Gail Tuminello. He also had 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Orville's Legacy
On September 19, 1995, Orville Redenbacher passed away in his home in Coronado, California. He had a heart attack and drowned.
After his death, many people remembered Orville's contributions. Film critic Roger Ebert said that Orville "took popcorn seriously, as seriously as we take the movies." His co-host, Gene Siskel, added that Orville was "more than just a cute, cuddly advertising figure. He actually was a scientist who came up with a new strain of popcorn that really kept that whole industry alive."
In 1988, Purdue University gave Orville an honorary doctorate degree.
Even after his death, Orville's commercials continued to be shown. In 2007, a new commercial even featured a digital version of Orville! His grandson, Gary Redenbacher, said that his grandpa would have liked it because he was always open to new ideas.
In 2012, the city of Valparaiso, Indiana, put up a statue of Orville Redenbacher at their yearly popcorn festival. This shows how much he is still remembered and celebrated for his love of popcorn!
Images for kids
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Redenbacher in 1979
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Purdue yearbook photo of Redenbacher, circa 1926
