William A. Mitchell
Encyclopedia
Dr. William A. "Bill" Mitchell (October 21, 1911 – July 26, 2004) was an American food chemist
who, while working for General Foods Corporation between 1941 and 1976, was the key inventor behind Pop Rocks
, Tang
, quick-set Jell-O
, Cool Whip
, and powdered egg whites
. During his career he received over 70 patent
s.
He was born in Raymond, Minnesota
. Mitchell graduated with a Master's degree in Chemistry from the University of Nebraska. After graduation, Mitchell got a research job at an Agricultural Experiment Station in Lincoln, Nebraska. A lab accident there left him with second- and third-degree burns over most of his body. He joined General Foods in 1941. His first major success came with a tapioca
substitute he helped develop during World War II
, in response to the disruption of cassava
supplies. Because of this tapioca quickly became known as "Mitchell mud" within the US WW II infantry.
Although Pop Rocks didn't hit the market until 1975, he received patent 3,012,893 for its manufacturing process in 1961. Mitchell was a resident of Lincoln Park, New Jersey
for many years before moving out west after his retirement in 1976.
He was married to Ruth Cobbey Mitchell and they had seven children: Bill, Charlie, Mike, John, Jan, Steve and Cheryl. He moved to Stockton after her death in 1999. Mitchell died of heart failure on July 26, 2004, at the age of 92 in Stockton, California
where he was living in a retirement home.
Food chemistry
Food chemistry is the study of chemical processes and interactions of all biological and non-biological components of foods. The biological substances include such items as meat, poultry, lettuce, beer, and milk as examples...
who, while working for General Foods Corporation between 1941 and 1976, was the key inventor behind Pop Rocks
Pop Rocks
Pop Rocks is a carbonated candy with ingredients including sugar, lactose , corn syrup, and flavoring. It differs from typical hard candy in that it creates a fizzy reaction when it dissolves in one's mouth.-Background and history:...
, Tang
Tang (drink)
Tang is a fruit-flavored breakfast drink. Originally formulated by General Foods Corporation food scientist William A. Mitchell in 1957, it was first marketed in powdered form in 1959....
, quick-set Jell-O
Jell-O
Jell-O is a brand name belonging to U.S.-based Kraft Foods for a number of gelatin desserts, including fruit gels, puddings and no-bake cream pies. The brand's popularity has led to it being used as a generic term for gelatin dessert across the U.S. and Canada....
, Cool Whip
Cool Whip
Cool Whip is a brand of imitation whipped cream named a whipped topping by its manufacturer. It is used in North America as a dessert topping and in some no-bake pie recipes. It was generally described as "non-dairy" as it contained no cream or milk and no lactose; however, it did contain the milk...
, and powdered egg whites
Powdered eggs
Powdered eggs are fully dehydrated eggs. They are made in a spray dryer in the same way that powdered milk is made. The major advantages of powdered eggs over fresh eggs are the price, reduced weight per volume of whole egg equivalent, and the shelf life...
. During his career he received over 70 patent
Patent
A patent is a form of intellectual property. It consists of a set of exclusive rights granted by a sovereign state to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention....
s.
He was born in Raymond, Minnesota
Raymond, Minnesota
Raymond is a city in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 764 at the 2010 census. Apol's Harley Davidson draws many Harley enthusiasts from the west-central Minnesota area to its dealership. Additionally, the Hawk Creek Country Club draws golfers in the area, being the...
. Mitchell graduated with a Master's degree in Chemistry from the University of Nebraska. After graduation, Mitchell got a research job at an Agricultural Experiment Station in Lincoln, Nebraska. A lab accident there left him with second- and third-degree burns over most of his body. He joined General Foods in 1941. His first major success came with a tapioca
Tapioca
Tapioca is a starch extracted Manihot esculenta. This species, native to the Amazon, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and most of the West Indies, is now cultivated worldwide and has many names, including cassava, manioc, aipim,...
substitute he helped develop during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, in response to the disruption of cassava
Cassava
Cassava , also called yuca or manioc, a woody shrub of the Euphorbiaceae native to South America, is extensively cultivated as an annual crop in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible starchy tuberous root, a major source of carbohydrates...
supplies. Because of this tapioca quickly became known as "Mitchell mud" within the US WW II infantry.
Although Pop Rocks didn't hit the market until 1975, he received patent 3,012,893 for its manufacturing process in 1961. Mitchell was a resident of Lincoln Park, New Jersey
Lincoln Park, New Jersey
Lincoln Park is a Borough in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 10,930....
for many years before moving out west after his retirement in 1976.
He was married to Ruth Cobbey Mitchell and they had seven children: Bill, Charlie, Mike, John, Jan, Steve and Cheryl. He moved to Stockton after her death in 1999. Mitchell died of heart failure on July 26, 2004, at the age of 92 in Stockton, California
Stockton, California
Stockton, California, the seat of San Joaquin County, is the fourth-largest city in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California. With a population of 291,707 at the 2010 census, Stockton ranks as this state's 13th largest city...
where he was living in a retirement home.