by Capricorner
In1869 a Frenchman, Mege Mouries invents MARGARINE, in response to an invitation to French scientists, from Napoleon III, to create a substitute for Butter that the Army could use. Its usefulness is self evident.
In 1872 an American, Adams, invents the CHEWING GUM and the world is grateful for that, ever since.
In 1886, John Pemberton, invents in Atlanta the drink that became a legend, whose Trade Mark is the most closely related symbol to America. COCA COLA. It changed the course of Beverage History.
In 1898, Will Keith Kellog offers the world … CORN FLAKES and starts the company bearing his name which shaped the World’s Breakfast Menu.
In1913 the first Household Refrigerator goes in to Mass Production, in Chicago, making life easier.
In 1914 the Polish Doctor Fink discovers what he named … VITAMINS, compounds on the skin of Cereals.
In 1915 ,an American scientist, Clarence Birdseye, invents the Industrial Deep Freezer, which improves the production and distribution of products that required it and enables other inventions to materialize.
In 1916 another American, Herbert Johnson, invents the first Mixer. Women rejoice.
In 1919 the World is offered the first refrigerator with a separate deep freezing compartment. Life becomes easier.
In 1921 the first chain of Hamburger Fast Food is established in the USA, WHITE CASTLE. It catches on because it offers convenience and reliability.
In 1945 the first Frozen Meals are offered by an American, named Maxson. In the same year another American, Percy Spenser, invents Micro Waves, by applying the Radar Technology to cooking.
In 1946 an Italian, Achile Gaggia invents the ESPRESSO COFFEE MAKING Machine, which adds another dimension to Coffee enjoyment.
In 1953 three French Brothers, Lescure was their name, bring Speed Cooking to perfection with their Speed Coocker.
In 1954 another Frenchman, Marc Gregoire, stumbles on the invention now known as TEFLON. Kitchen work is better after that.
In 1955, the inventor of Milk Shake, Ray Kroc, starts in Chicago … MACDONALD’S. The Fast Food Chain he established offered something meaningful, hence its success. Ray Kroc even established his own Coaching Center in Chicago for the Chain’s employees that came to be known as the Hamburger University.
In 1960 the US offers the world VACUUM PACKING, with the ensuing Consumer Benefits.
In 1961 a Swedish company presents the World Famous TETRA PACK which makes possible the production and distribution of Long Life Milk and other Liquid Food Products.
Innovation does not stop there of course. The above list focuses on innovations that have affected food and beverage consumption patterns. What becomes apparent is that America is the undisputed leader in Innovations, not just in advanced and cutting edge Technology but also in every day life improvement. It is America’s Innovation that drives its Economy to a position hard for others to attain … perpetual Economic Dominance.
One way for Greece to develop is by Innovation. This however requires planning (so un-Greek) and strategic cooperation of Universities and Industry (which raffles a lot of feathers in the Universities and is, therefore, rejected a priori, by the Universities). The Government could set up Venture Capital Funds, even Venture Incubators, on a regional basis, set targets and reward achievers, but this is beyond the capabilities of the Greek Public Sector. Innovation, therefore is only a dream, in Greece, not a way out of its misery.
