TV Dinner

Categories: Food
    • Yearly 81% of households eat frozen dinners
    • First TV dinner: Turkey, dressing, gravy, peas and sweet potatoes
    • First TV dinner priced at 98 cents
    • Modern day TV dinners usually come in containers safe for microwaving
    • Can be heated in an oven
    • TV Dinner Invention
    • The inventor of the TV dinner is a matter of great debate. Former Swanson executive Gerry Thomas claims to have invented the idea after the company had an excess of frozen turkeys on hand. This story has been challenged.
    • Swanson was not the first to market frozen dinners. William L Maxson's frozen dinners were served on airplanes beginning in 1944. Other frozen dinner trays were introduced in 1952. Although Swanson may not have invented the TV dinner, they were responsible for the widespread awareness and sale of the item.
  • TV dinners are prepackaged and frozen meals that can be reheated with little preparation. They usually contain enough items sufficient for a single person meal.
  • TV Dinner Timeline

    • 1960: Desserts added to dinners (cobbler and brownies)
    • 1969: First TV breakfasts marketed
    • 1973: First Swanson Hungry Man dinners marketed
    • 1986: First microwave oven-safe trays.
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