James Alexander DEWAR
1930 - April 6 - Hostess Twinkies first sold.

On April 6, 1930, the first Hostess Twinkies went on sale, marking the debut of what would become one of America’s most iconic snack foods. The invention came from James Alexander Dewar, a baker at the Continental Baking Company in Schiller Park, Illinois. Dewar, noticing that machines used to produce cream-filled strawberry shortcakes sat idle when strawberries were out of season, devised a new treat: a sponge cake filled with banana cream. The name “Twinkie” reportedly came from a St. Louis billboard advertising “Twinkle Toe Shoes,” inspiring the catchy moniker that would endure for decades.

Twinkies quickly became a popular treat, but their flavor evolved over time due to broader historical events. During World War II, bananas were rationed, and the company substituted vanilla cream for the original banana filling. The change proved surprisingly popular, and vanilla became the standard Twinkie flavor, with banana cream largely relegated to limited-time promotions. Over the years, Twinkies became emblematic of American convenience foods, celebrated for their portability, long shelf life, and unique combination of soft cake and creamy filling. They have remained a cultural icon, appearing in advertising, television, and even political satire, representing both innovation in mass-produced snacks and the quirks of American culinary history.

April 6, 1930

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