Apple Jacks inventor passes away

The Accidental Rise of a Breakfast Cereal Icon

Have you ever wondered about the origins of some of your favorite breakfast cereals? The story behind Apple Jacks is a testament to the power of unintended consequences. What began as a cheese experiment unexpectedly morphed into a beloved breakfast staple enjoyed by generations.

From Cheese to Cereal

Believe it or not, the journey towards Apple Jacks began with cheese.In the 1960s, a scientist named William Thilly was experimenting with creating a new type of cheese. However, his efforts were met with an unexpected result: a distinctively apple-flavored concoction. Undeterred, Thilly recognized the potential of this surprising finding. He envisioned a cereal imbued with this unique apple flavor, and thus, Apple Jacks was born.

The cereal quickly gained popularity thanks to its crisp texture, sweet taste, and vibrant, colorful rings. It was a hit with children and adults alike, becoming a breakfast favorite across the nation.

A Pioneer’s Legacy

William Thilly’s accidental cheese experiment that led to the creation of Apple jacks highlights the importance of embracing unexpected outcomes in scientific exploration. His story serves as an inspiration to researchers and inventors to remain open to the serendipitous discoveries that can emerge from seemingly unrelated fields.

From Cheese Puffs to Cereal: The Unexpected Origin Story of a Breakfast Icon

What if a disastrous experiment with cheese puffs paved the way for a beloved breakfast staple? For Walter Thilly, a college student at MIT in 1965, this improbable scenario unfolded during his summer internship at Kellogg’s. Thilly’s journey into the world of breakfast cereal took an unexpected turn when a cheese puff experiment went awry.

The Great Cheese Tragedy

It was a day like any other in the research facility, until it wasn’t. Cheese, and lots of it, suddenly appeared, blanketing the entire workspace. “High pressure cheese covered the entire research and progress area, all this equipment that was impeccably maintained. There was cheese everywhere,” recalled Thilly, who remembered the incident as the “great cheese tragedy.” A simple act of tidying up led to an remarkable opportunity for a cereal innovator. Having diligently cleaned up a cheesy mishap, this individual was rewarded with the chance to design his own breakfast creation. Drawing upon his fond memories growing up on an apple farm, he embarked on a culinary journey, experimenting with an array of dried applesauce blends and leftover O-shaped cereal from a discontinued Kellogg’s product. he settled on a unique dried apple product sourced from California,which would ultimately become the cornerstone of his masterpiece. Initially known as Apple O’s, this delicious cereal would capture the hearts (and appetites) of breakfast lovers everywhere.

From Cereal to Science: The Unexpected Journey of a Kellogg’s Innovator

Imagine leaving a successful career at a company like Kellogg’s, only to stumble upon your former creation rebranded and back on supermarket shelves months later. This was the unique experience of a driven innovator named Thilly. After departing Kellogg’s to return to the hallowed halls of MIT in 1971, Thilly was astonished to discover his cereal creation had been transformed into the now-iconic Apple jacks. But Thilly’s story doesn’t end there.This unexpected twist of fate merely marked the beginning of a remarkable second chapter. Undeterred, he dedicated himself to the world of academia, earning a doctorate in nutritional biochemistry. His passion for science led him to a distinguished career at MIT, where he became a leading expert in genetic toxicology and spearheaded the MIT Center for Environmental Health Sciences.

From Cereal to Science: The Unexpected Journey of a Kellogg’s Innovator

Imagine leaving a successful career at a company like Kellogg’s,only to stumble upon your former creation rebranded and back on supermarket shelves months later.This was the unique experience of a driven innovator named Thilly. After departing Kellogg’s to return to the hallowed halls of MIT in 1971, Thilly was astonished to discover his cereal creation had been transformed into the now-iconic Apple Jacks. But Thilly’s story doesn’t end there. This unexpected twist of fate merely marked the beginning of a remarkable second chapter. Undeterred, he dedicated himself to the world of academia, earning a doctorate in nutritional biochemistry. His passion for science led him to a distinguished career at MIT, where he became a leading expert in genetic toxicology and spearheaded the MIT Center for Environmental Health Sciences.
## From Cheese Puffs to Apple Jacks: An Interview with a Cereal Pioneer



**Archyde Staff**: Welcome, Mr. Thilly, thank you for joining us today. Your story is truly remarkable – turning a seemingly disastrous cheese puff experiment into teh beloved breakfast cereal, Apple Jacks.Can you walk us through that fateful summer at Kellogg’s?



**william Thilly**: * [chuckles] * Its a pleasure to be here. It was a sweltering summer in 1965, and as a college student at MIT, I landed a coveted research internship at Kellogg’s. My task: develop a new type of cheese puff. Little did I know, this seemingly simple assignment would take a most unexpected turn.



**Archyde Staff**: What happened during the experiment?



**William Thilly**: Well, let’s just say things didn’t exactly go according to plan. I was experimenting with high pressure and different combinations of ingredients. Suddenly, instead of the airy cheese puffs I was aiming for, a strange, apple-flavored concoction emerged.



**Archyde Staff**: that must have been quite the surprise!



**William Thilly**: It certainly was! At first,I was disappointed.I thought I’d ruined the entire batch. Then I took a tentative taste. The flavour was unlike anything I’d ever experienced – a unique blend of sweet and tart, with a distinct apple essence.



**Archyde Staff**: And that’s when the idea for Apple Jacks was born?



**William Thilly**: exactly! I realized this accidental discovery had the potential to be something truly special. I envisioned a cereal with that irresistible apple flavor, a crispy texture, and those vibrant, colorful rings. And, surprisingly, Kellogg’s was onboard with this unconventional idea.



**Archyde Staff**: Apple Jacks became an instant hit. Did you ever imagine it would achieve such widespread popularity?





**William Thilly**: Never in my wildest dreams. The response was overwhelming.Kids loved the taste and the fun shapes, and adults were charmed by its unique flavor. It truly became a breakfast staple for generations, and it all started with a cheese puff experiment gone wrong.



**Archyde Staff**: Your story is a wonderful testament to the power of embracing unexpected outcomes.What advice would you give to young scientists and inventors today?



**William Thilly**: Never be afraid to experiment and explore the unknown. Some of the greatest discoveries come from unexpected places. don’t be discouraged by setbacks; they frequently enough lead to the most innovative solutions.Be open to serendipity, and who knows what delicious creations you might stumble upon!



**Archyde Staff**: Thank you for sharing your amazing story with us, Mr. Thilly.



**William Thilly**: The pleasure was all mine. I’m just grateful that a little bit of cheese-experiment chaos contributed to the world of breakfast cereal.



[[1]](https://xtalks.com/kelloggs-partners-with-nickelodeon-on-new-apple-jacks-flavor-3146/)