She is one of the most recognizable women of the 20th century. For decades we have trusted in her skills and sought her advise. Her books have sold millions of copies world-wide and at the peek of her popularity she made Fortune Magazine’s list of “The Most Admired Women in America.” Her name has appeared on thousand of products and amazingly at 95 her face is just a firm as when we first saw it in 1936. Yet, she is only a figment of the imagination. She is Betty Crocker.
Betty, who many still believe to be real person, was the creative genius of a group of executives at the Washburn Crosby Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1921. After a promotional campaign flooded the company with customer questions about baking, they set out to create “the perfect homemaker” who would reply to the inquiries. The name Betty was chosen because it was perceived as warm and friendly, and her last name, Crocker, was taken from a retired company executive. A contest was held among the secretaries at Washburn-Crosby with the winner receiving the honor of creating Betty’s signature. That original signature is still used today.
The invisible entity that was “Betty” worked for a while, but as she grew in popularity her fans wanted more. In 1924 women across America were delighted when she hit the airwaves with the first broadcast cooking show “The Betty Crocker School of the Air.” Her public now had a voice to go with the name, but they would not see her face until 1936 when General Mills placed her “portrait” on their products. Betty has undergone eight subtle changes through the years but, according to the company, her portrait has always been a composite of a group of women of diverse backgrounds and ages.
After an unprecedented 24 year run on radio, Betty was ready to take on television. She first appeared in the half-hour program “The Betty Crocker Show” from 1950-1952, followed by a series of walk-on commercials for the George Burns and Gracie Allen Show. But, her greatest success came in 1954 when “The Betty Crocker Search for the All-American Homemaker of Tomorrow” aired in the number one spot and remained there for most of it’s 22 year run. Throughout the years there were 13 actresses used to create the Betty Crocker character, the most recognized being Adelaide Hawley Cumming (1949-1964).
The first “Betty Crocker Cookbook” was published in 1950 featuring triple-tested recipes with step-by-step instructions and picture illustrations. Many of these are highly collectible. Watch for the “Red Pie Cover” 1950, 1956, 1961, and 1969 editions, and the “Betty Crocker’s Cooky Book” released in 1963. Soft cover booklets from the 1950s are also of interest but they will be a little more difficult to find in good condition. Those to watch for include “Pie Parade,” “Let the Stars Show You How to Bake a Trick a Day with Bisquick,” from 1935 and “Your Share,” printed during WWII.
In addition to cookbooks, Betty Crocker wares, including mixing bowls, biscuit bakers, and tea kettles are coming into their own as a collectible. They are easy to find and easy on the pocketbook, falling in the $15-$75 price range.
So, the next time you bake Snickerdoodles or serve Pigs in a Blanket, remember the woman who gave them to us. She will forever be in the kitchen, wearing her white apron, with every hair in place. She is the incomparable Betty Crocker. The imaginary woman, who taught us how to use our imagination. Until next time…Linda
Irvington resident Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in senior down-sizing and the liquidation of estates and may be reached at 317-258-7835 or follow her on FB at lFaceBook at www.facebook.com/WhatsInTheAttic
