Betty Crocker is an icon that many of us have grown up with through the years. Betty Crocker is synonymous with cookbooks and cake mixes. I can still remember seeing the picture of good old Betty on the box of those delicious cake mixes.

The name Betty Crocker has historical significance as well. The name “Betty Crocker” was developed to market products to homemakers, and created from combining the last name of a retired company executive, William Crocker, and a pleasant, comfortable female name, Betty. I can assure you that the name was not borrow from the Flintstones. According to an online source, General Mills became inundated with requests for recipes and baking suggestions, and to make the responses more personal, the company responded with letters using the signature of a secretary who won an office contest. That really made Betty Crocker come alive and women all over America suddenly felt as if a kindred spirit. This was in 1921 and this same signature is still used today. There is almost something comforting about that, although I'm not really sure why I feel that way.

In 1924 the first Betty Crocker School of the Air, the nation’s first cooking show debut across the land through the radio. It lasted an astounding 24 years. In 1936 an artist combined the features of the women who worked in the company’s home department in the official likeness of “Betty Crocker”, but the truth is that Betty's image has changed to maintain a modern look.

Now we’re all clear on the fact that Betty Crocker was never a real person (she was voted the most popular woman in the country second to Eleanor Roosevelt!) let’s move on to all those great Betty Crocker recipes and products.

The very first Betty Crocker cookbook was made available to the American population in 1950. It was called the “Betty Crocker Picture Cook Book”. For nostalgia's sake it has been republished in all its original glory and you can get it online at www.amazon.com or you can grab it at your favorite bookstore. This cook book is resplendent with black and white and color pictures.

It really does cover the entire spectrum including everything from the most basic of recipes to the really involved, with such helpful tips on selection, presentations and table settings. They actually suggested that the cook, in order to take a well-deserved rest, should lie on the floor for a quick five minutes nap. What do you think, are you up for it? Most of us would probably choose the couch or recliner over our kitchen floor. It's really funny how times have changed.

Betty Crocker products can be found in just about every kitchen in America. It really is an all-American product. The brownie and cake mixes are truly delicious, and become easier and more convenient to whip up. Our lifestyles have become so hectic that not many people have time to spend in the kitchen baking. It really is great to be able to craft a box of Betty Crocker and within a short period of time create a wonderfully fresh and delicious dessert. That’s my kind of cooking – no fuss, no muss!! Betty Crocker will be there for our kids, just as she was for us, our parents, and their parents, in our pantries and our cupboards. Betty Crocker is an American icon!

Morgan Hamilton offers his findings and insights regarding the world of foods and cooking. You can get interesting and informative information here at Betty Crocker

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