TV dinners are prepackaged and frozen meals that can be reheated with little preparation. They usually contain enough items sufficient for a single person to have a meal. While they are known to have high fat and calorie contents, a variety of leaner versions are now on the market.
TV Dinner Timeline
Retro Swanson's TV Dinner Commercial
Swanson came out with the very first TV dinners back in 1953, around the same time as color television. The company has been making the same style of products since then, although the menu has changed somewhat over the years. This Swanson television commercial from 1970, touts the low cost and ample portions--back then, a large TV dinner cost a mere 85 cents.
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Yearly 81% of households eat frozen dinners
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First TV dinner
Turkey, dressing, gravy, peas and sweet potatoes
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Fact:
First TV dinner priced at 98 cents
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Fact:
Modern day TV dinners usually come in containers safe for microwaving
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Fact:
Can be heated in an oven
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Fact:
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.
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Fact:
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.
