Who Was Duncan Hines?

This post isn't directly about cooking but is a fun insight to a man many have heard of but few really know... Duncan Hines.

Duncan Hines was born on March 26, 1880 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Later in life he west due to his asthma and eventually became a salesman for a Chicago Printing Press. During his years as a salesman he traveled and eventually became familiar with different restuarants and hotels throughout the country. In the time before McDonald's and Burger King and other major chains finding a good place to eat became a quite the task. He started to take notes of the great places he found to dine and lodge and eventually started to share his lists with his friends and family. The response to these lists became so positive that in 1935 he self-published a book called "Adventures in Good Eating."

About two years later he published a second edition. The businesses listed in his books were very happy with his books because it brought them new business. Consumers often kept one of his books in their glove box so when they would take trips they could find the best establishments along the way. The businesses that were included on Hines' list were allowed to post a sign saying "Recommended by Duncan Hines" in their windows. After being added to the list, businesses were expected to maintain their quality or they would be taken off of the list.

In the 1950's Duncan Hines sold the rights to his name and the title to his book to a newly formed company Hines-Park Foods, Inc. This new company was focused on providing high quality foods to the American Consumers. A few years later Hines-Park Foods was producing over two hundred and fifty different products featuring the Duncan Hines label.

In 1956, Hines-Park Foods was purchased by Procter & Gamble. Shortly after, Duncan Hines introduced their now famous cake mixes, which were marketed nationwide along with many other items under the Duncan Hines name.

Duncan Hines died at the age of 79 on March 15, 1959. Forty-eight years after his death, to this day Duncan Hines is still a household name. Over the years the brand has represented excellent quality in baking mixes and is currently the nation's second largest baking mix companies. The label is also one of the most recognized trademarks in the country. Even though "Adventures in Good Eating" hasn't been published for over forty-five years, there are still some establishments that still proudly display their signs saying "Recommended by Duncan Hines."