Who was Duncan Hines? A Short Biography of the Founder of Procter & Gamble

Duncan Hines was born on March 26, 1880 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He later moved west due to asthma and eventually became a salesman for a Chicago Printing Press. During his years as a salesman he traveled a lot and he eventually became familiar with different restaurants and hotels throughout the country. In this time period, there were not a lot of chain restaurants so finding a good place to eat became a task. Over time he started to take notes of the good places he found to dine and lodge and eventually shared his lists with friends. The responses to these lists became so positive that in 1935 he self published a book called "Adventures in Good Eating." Two years later he published a second edition.

The businesses listed in his books also were very happy with his books because it brought them new business. Consumers often kept one of his books in the glove boxes of their cars so when they would take trips they could find the best establishments along the way. The businesses that were included on Hines' list were allowed to post a sign saying "recommended by Duncan Hines" in their windows. After being added to the list, businesses were expected to maintain their quality or they would be taken off of the list.

In the early 1950's Duncan Hines sold the rights to his name and the title to his book to a newly formed company Hines-Park Foods, Inc. This new company was focused on providing high quality foods to the American households. A few years later Hines-Park Foods was producing over two hundred and fifty different products featuring the Duncan Hines label.

In 1956, Hines-Park Foods became part of Procter & Gamble. Shortly after, Duncan Hines introduced their now famous cake mixes, which were marketed nationwide along with many other items under the Duncan Hines name. Duncan Hines died at the age of 79 on March 15, 1959. Forty-eight years after his death, Duncan Hines is still a household name. Over the years the brand has represented excellent quality in baking mixes and is currently the nation's second largest baking mix companies. The label is also one of the most recognized trademarks in the country. Even though "Adventures in Good Eating" hasn't been published for over forty-five years, there are still some establishments that still proudly display their signs saying "Recommended by Duncan Hines."