The Real Betty Crocker May Never Have Existed, but She Still Became a Symbol for American Women

[left-of-center2012]

"Created as a customer service tool 100 years ago, the fictional character marks the evolution of domesticity in the United States”

Though she celebrates her 100th birthday this year, Betty Crocker was never born. Nor does she ever really age. When her face did change over the past century, it was because it had been reinterpreted by artists and shaped by algorithms.

Betty’s most recent official portrait – painted in 1996 to celebrate her 75th birthday – was inspired by a composite photograph, itself based on photographs of 75 real women reflecting the spirit of Betty Crocker and the changing demographics of America. In it, she doesn’t look a day over 40.

Nevertheless, women often wrote to Betty Crocker and saved the letters they received in return. Many of them debated whether or not she was, in fact, a real person. In my academic research on cookbooks, I focus primarily on the way cookbook authors, mostly women, have used the cookbook as a space to explore politics and aesthetics while fostering a sense of community among readers.

very interesting full article, with links to photos, at:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/betty-crocker-turns-100-180979049/

The first portrait of Betty Crocker was achieved by combining features of female employees working for General Mills at the time the portrait was commissioned.

[jpak]

1. My Mom's Falling Apart Betty Crocker cook book

Is a family treasure

Lots of memories there

Yup

[Fla Dem]

2. One of those in my family as well. But it's the Boston Cooking School - Fannie Farmer cook book.

My brother, the cook in the family has it. I believe the copyright is in the 1930-1940's.

This isn't the book in my family, but it is the book.

[jpak]

4. We had one of those too

Yay

[malthaussen]

8. I think everybody's mom had one of those...

... for a given value of "everybody." And when I briefly lived with a young lady in SC in 2001, she had one, too.

I'd actually be curious as to how many are still in circulation.

-- Mal

[Wolf Frankula]

3. Her name was Elizabeth Crocker.

She was a very nice person, but not that good of a cook except for barbecues.

Wolf

[left-of-center2012]

5. Who is 'Elizabeth Crocker'?

Not the person behind the brand 'Betty Crocker'.

Betty Crocker is a brand and fictional character used in advertising campaigns for food and recipes.
The character was originally created by the Washburn-Crosby Company in 1921 following a contest in the Saturday Evening Post.

The character was developed in 1920 … The name Betty was selected because it was viewed as a cheery, all-American name.
It was paired with the last name Crocker, in honor of William Crocker, a Washburn Crosby Company director.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_Crocker

[Wolf Frankula]

6. Betty Crocker's full name.

She didn't look like the picture, or so I am told.

Wolf

[left-of-center2012]

7. First sentence of the OP ...

"Created as a customer service tool 100 years ago, the fictional character …”

Not based on a real person.
“Betty Crocker was never born. Nor does she ever really age. When her face did change over the past century, it was because it had been interpreted by artists and shaped by algorithms.”

"Betty’s name was invented as a customer service tool so that the return letters the company’s mostly male advertising department sent in response to these queries would seem more personal."

Believe what you wish.
Bye.

[FakeNoose]

9. My mother's guru was Mrs. Rombauer who published "The Joy of Cooking"

This old and revered cookbook was always in Mom's kitchen.

[jpak]

10. My Mom had one too

She was a good old fashioned cook in every respect

The best

But all these cook books were her backstops