Menu Inside Quaker Search Our Oat Origins For 140 years, we've been inspired by the wholesome goodness of the humble oat. See where it all began. 1850s - 1870s 1880s - 1900s 1910s - 1930s 1940s - 1960s 1970s - 1990s 2000s - 2010s 1850 Ferdinand Schumacher founds German Mills American Cereal Company in Akron, OH. During the same period, John Stuart established the North Star Mills Company in Canada. 1877 Quaker Oats registered as the first trademark for a breakfast cereal. The trademark was registered with the U.S. Patent Office as "a figure of a man in 'Quaker garb.'" Both former owners, Henry Seymour and William Heston, claimed to have selected the Quaker name as a symbol of good quality and honest value. 1881 Henry Parsons Crowell buys the bankrupt Quaker Mill in Ravenna, OH, and its most important asset – the brand name Quaker. 1882 Crowell launches the first national magazine advertising program for a breakfast cereal. 1888 Seven of the largest American oat millers--including the Consolidated principals--unite as the American Cereal Company. 1890 The American Cereal Company runs a special all-Quaker Oats train from Cedar Rapids, IA to Portland, OR and introduces the first ever "trial-size samples." 1/2 oz. sample boxes of Quaker Oats are delivered to every mailbox in Portland, OR. 1891 The Quaker brand becomes the first brand to feature a recipe on its box (the recipe was for Oatmeal Bread). 1901 American Cereal changes its name to The Quaker Oats Company. 1908 Oat Cakes become the first oatmeal cookie to appear on the Quaker Oats package. 1911 Quaker acquires Mother's Oats, giving Quaker ownership of half of all milling operations east of the Rocky Mountains. 1915 The familiar round Quaker Oats package is introduced. 1922 Quaker introduces Quaker Quick Oats, one of the first convenience products. 1961 Life® Cereal is introduced in its original flavor. 1966 Quaker Instant Oatmeal is introduced. 1970 The first instant oatmeal flavor is introduced – Maple & Brown Sugar is distributed regionally. 1981 Quaker introduces the world to chewy granola bars with Quaker Chewy®. 1987 Actor Wilford Brimley is the first celebrity to work with The Quaker brand. 1997 The Quaker brand introduces the first food-specific health claim for oatmeal, which is approved by the FDA. The new heart health claim appears on Quaker Oatmeal cereals which qualify. The claim reads: "Soluble fiber from oatmeal as part of a low saturated fat, low cholesterol diet, may reduce the risk of heart disease." 2017 Quaker celebrates our 140 year anniversary Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies GET RECIPE No-fuss breakfasts for on-the-go mornings No-fuss breakfasts for on-the-go mornings MAKE OVERNIGHT OATS Subscribe to PepsiCo Tasty Rewards Yes! Sign me up to receive emails from PepsiCo Tasty Rewards, PepsiCo and its brands so I never miss out on exciting updates, offers or sweepstakes SIGN UP I have read and agree to the Terms (open in a new tab) of use and understand that information I submit will be used as described in the Privacy Policy (open in a new tab) Are you a health professional? If so, sign up for the Quaker Oats Center of Excellence newsletter. Subscribe Popular Links Recipes Products Overnight Oats FAQs (open in a new tab) More Info Contact Quaker (open in a new tab) Oats Center of Excellence Privacy Policy (open in a new tab) Ads and Tracking (open in a new tab) Ads Policy (open in a new tab) Terms And Conditions (open in a new tab) PEPSICO (open in a new tab) Follow Us (open in a new tab) (open in a new tab) (open in a new tab) (open in a new tab) © The Quaker Oats Company, 2021