Post by Gourmando the Reindeer on Jan 7, 2021 19:27:44 GMT
How Bacon And Eggs Became Our Go To Breakfast
Have you ever wondered why bacon and eggs are considered breakfast food? Believe it or not, positioning eggs and bacon as breakfast was the result of a deliberate advertising campaign on behalf of a pork company.
In the 1920s, the Beech-Nut Packing Company, hired Edward Bernays, a public relations and advertising expert, to increase consumer demand for bacon. To do so, Bernays asked his agency’s internal doctor if a heavier breakfast would be more beneficial than a lighter one for the American public.
But because the doctor knew that it was in his best interest to support Bernays suspicion, he confirmed the theory and wrote to 5,000 of his doctors friends asking them to confirm it as well. This ‘research’ of doctors encouraging Americans to eat a heavier breakfast – namely ‘Bacon and Eggs’ – was published in several major newspapers and magazines to great success. Beech-Nut’s profits increased rapidly and we now eat bacon and eggs for breakfast! So, what did people eat for breakfast before this incident?
Well, before the 1920s, most people, at least in North America, ate oatmeal and porridge for breakfast.
Bonus fact: Edward Bernays was quite fascinating. He is considered the founder of ‘the art of persuasion’, using psychology, tricks, bonus gifts etc. to market goods to consumers or just propaganda in general. That’s why he was hired by President Coolidge to help run his re-election campaign in 1924.
Interesting. It reminds me of those old ads we've seen from the 40s 50s and. I believe even early 60s with Drs. promoting and endorsing cigarettes.
I bet someone somewhere, like a diner owner/cook or something would have paired the two up sooner or later even without the bogus "study".
I've always liked sausage, links or patties in that order, with my eggs more than bacon. Heck I even like reduced sodium SPAM better than bacon. But I do like bacon. With eggs or laying atop a casserole of baked beans. And nothing gives chicken salad that extra tasty kick than real bacon fried and crumbled.
