William Post, the man who is often credited with having “invented” the Pop-Tart, has died at the age of 96, his family has said.
From humble beginnings in Michigan , Post rose quickly through the ranks of the Hekman Biscuit Company before collaborating with Kellogg ’s to develop the globally popular toaster pastry.
According to his family, despite his legendary accomplishments, he was a “humble man” and seemed to “overflow with generosity”. Later in life, he provided talks in schools, to which he brought a “never-ending supply” of Pop-Tarts.
Born in Grand Rapids in 1927 as one of seven children, Post graduated high school at the age of 16 and held a part-time job washing trucks at the Hekman Biscuit Company. He returned to the job after serving in the Army Air Corps in occupied Japan.
At the age of 21, Post gained a full-time position Hekman [later known as the Keebler company] as the personnel manager, but assisted with sales, production, and anything else that he could learn.