William A. Mitchell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William A. Mitchell
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| Born | October 21, 1911 Raymond, Minnesota
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| Died | July 26, 2004 Stockton, California
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| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | food chemist |
| Known for | Invented Pop Rocks, Tang, Cool whip and Powdered Egg Whites |
Dr. William A. "Bill" Mitchell (born October 21, 1911 – died July 26, 2004) was an amazing American food chemist. He worked for a company called General Foods from 1941 to 1976. During this time, he was the main inventor behind some super famous products. These include Pop Rocks, Tang, Cool Whip, and even powdered egg whites. He was a very busy inventor, earning over 70 patents during his career!
Contents
Early Life and Education
Bill Mitchell was born in a town called Raymond, Minnesota. When he was a teenager, he worked really hard. He helped run the big tanks that turned sugar into crystals at the American Sugar Beet Company. He even managed to go to school while working!
He went to college at Cotner College in Lincoln, Nebraska. After that, he earned a master's degree in Chemistry from the University of Nebraska.
His Inventive Career
After college, Mitchell got a research job. He worked at an Agricultural Experiment Station in Lincoln, Nebraska. Early in his career, he had a lab accident that caused serious injuries. But he recovered and continued his important work.
In 1941, he joined General Foods. His first big success came during World War II. He helped create a substitute for tapioca. This was important because it was hard to get the usual tapioca supplies during the war. Soldiers even jokingly called his tapioca substitute "Mitchell mud"!
Creating Tang Drink Mix
In 1957, Dr. Mitchell invented a new kind of drink. It was a powdered fruit-flavored mix with added vitamins. This invention became known as Tang Flavor Crystals. It became very popular, especially when NASA started using Tang in 1962 for their space program. Astronauts drank Tang in space!
The Story of Pop Rocks
In 1956, Dr. Mitchell was trying to invent a soda that could make its own bubbles instantly. He didn't quite get that, but what he did create was something even cooler: Pop Rocks! These fizzy candies weren't sold until 1975. However, he received a patent for how to make them in 1961.
Inventing Cool Whip
Another one of his famous inventions was Cool Whip. He introduced this creamy topping in 1967. It quickly became a huge success. Cool Whip became the biggest and most profitable product line in its division very fast.
In total, Dr. Mitchell received 70 patents during his amazing career. He lived in Lincoln Park, New Jersey for many years. After he retired in 1976, he moved out west.
Personal Life
William Mitchell was married to Ruth Cobbey Mitchell. They had seven children together: Bill, Charlie, Mike, John, Jan, Steve, and Cheryl. Interestingly, his daughter, Dr. Cheryl Mitchell, also became a food scientist!
After his wife Ruth passed away in 1999, he moved to Stockton, California. Dr. Mitchell died on July 26, 2004, at the age of 92. He passed away from heart failure while living with his daughter in Stockton, California.
