What is the best selling cookie in the United States? Oreo is the answer if you haven’t guessed by now, celebrating 100 years of rotting kids’ and adults teeth. But it hasn’t always looked, tasted or packaged the same way it is today.
Oreo 1912
The “Oreo Biscuit” was developed and first produced by Nabisco in 1912. It was launched as an imitation of the Hydrox cookie manufactured by the Sunshine company, introduced in 1908.
Oreo Sandwich, 1912
The original design of the cookie featured a wreath around the edge of the cookie and the name “OREO” in the center, sold for 25 cents a pound in novelty cans with clear glass tops.
Oreo Circa 1931
The biscuit was renamed as the OREO sandwich in 1921, with a new design to the cookie presented in 1924. Throughout the 1920s, A lemon-filled variety was available, later discontinued.
Oreo in 1963
In 1948, it was renamed again, into the Oreo Creme Sandwich. The modern-day Oreo design was developed in 1952 to include the Nabisco logo.
Oreo in 1973
In 1973, another change to the brand name was made, going with Oreo chocolate sandwich cookies.
Oreo 1993
In 1993, the man who developed the modern Oreo cookie, Nabisco’s chief food scientist, Sam Porcello, retired. He passed away last month.
Oreo in 1998
In the mid-1990s, health concerns prompted Nabisco to replace the lard in the filling with trans fat. Not that trans fat is that healthy, but it’s better than lard, I guess.
Oreo 2012
January 2006 – Oreo cookies replaced the trans fat in the cookie with non-hydrogenated vegetable oil.
