Pringles Inventor Buried in a Can

The distinctively uniform, saddle-shaped potato crisps known as Pringles revolutionized the snack food industry upon their introduction in the late 1960s. Unlike traditional potato chips that were prone to breakage and often came in greasy bags, Pringles offered a consistent product in a protective, airtight container. This innovative packaging and chip design were largely the brainchild of Fredric Baur, an organic chemist at Procter & Gamble, whose work fundamentally altered how consumers enjoyed their savory snacks.

Tasked by Procter & Gamble in the 1960s, Baur developed the unique hyperbolic paraboloid shape of the Pringle chip, engineered for optimal stackability and minimal breakage. He also conceived the tall, cylindrical can that not only protected the delicate crisps but also kept them fresh for months, a significant improvement over the flimsy bags common at the time. This ingenious combination of shape and packaging addressed long-standing issues within the potato chip market, creating a product that was both durable and convenient for consumers. Baur filed for the patent for his design in 1966, which was granted in 1970.

Baur's pride in his invention was so profound that it extended beyond his lifetime. Before his passing in 2008 at the age of 89, he made a rather unconventional request to his family: that a portion of his cremated remains be buried in one of his iconic Pringles cans. His children honored this unique last wish, placing some of his ashes in an original flavor Pringles can, which they purchased from a Walgreens on their way to the funeral home. This fitting tribute was interred in his grave in Springdale, Ohio, a testament to his lasting legacy and the indelible mark he left on the world of packaged foods.