Who founded the Oreo brand and when was it first produced?

The Beginning of Oreos

Oreos were first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company at their bakery located in New York City. The exact person who invented the cookie design is not officially documented, so Nabisco receives credit as the company that created and introduced them to the market. The cookies were originally sold in bulk from bins rather than in packages like today.

Original Features and Design

The original Oreo cookies had the same basic design we recognize today: two chocolate wafers with a white cream filling in between. The pattern on the cookie featured a wreath design around the edge with the word Oreo in the center. This design has remained remarkably similar throughout the cookie's history, making it one of the most recognizable cookie designs worldwide.

Early Sales and Popularity

When Oreos first came to market, they were sold for 30 cents per pound in bulk. The cookies quickly became popular and spread beyond New York to other parts of the United States. By the 1920s, Oreos were being produced at multiple Nabisco facilities and had become a well-known treat across the country.

Company Changes Over Time

The National Biscuit Company eventually became known simply as Nabisco. In 2012, Mondelez International became the parent company of Nabisco and now owns the Oreo brand. Today, Oreos are sold in over 100 countries and remain one of the world's best-selling cookies.