Before Pringles, crisps, or chips to our American friends, came in bags. However the problem was that many of the snacks became broken in the bag, spoiling the eating experience. While many of us look forward to the broken bits, in the land of the free, this was unconscionable, so in 1958 P&G set out to create the perfect chip. It took it almost a decade of stop-start work before the classic saddle chip – technically a hyperbolic paraboloid – was developed.
Having created this perfect shape, it needed a package to keep the product in tip top condition. Because the chips can stack, the Pringles cardboard tube was devised as a crush-proof way of keeping them in alignment. The first salt-flavoured Originals were launched in 1968 as ‘Pringles Newfangled Potato Chips’. The can featured the plastic resealable lid which remains a feature today and helps the brand maintain its premium positioning.
According to Pringles folklore, the name was plucked at random from a Cincinnati phone book. The actual product definition has been tweaked over the years. In the US, rivals complained that it wasn’t strictly a potato chip as it was made from fried dough that has less than 50% potato – yum. The potato part of the name was dropped. Meanwhile, in the UK P&G argued that Pringles were actually cakes and therefore not liable for VAT. After initially winning, the HMRC had the decision reversed on appeal.
P&G has made great use of the iconic can for promotional purposes over the years, including producing add-ons that transform it into speakers and karaoke mics. Hackers have similarly transformed the tube into all manner of devices. But probably the most innovative use of a Pringles can goes to the man who invented the chips and its packaging, Dr Frederic Baur. On passing away in 2008, his ashes were interred in a Pringles pack – Original flavour of course.
FAQs
The idea of the Pringles® canister was first invented by the chemist Fredric Baur in 1966. Because potato chips are fragile, Baur felt that simply tossing them in a bag was an inefficient method of storage.
What is the story behind the Pringles logo? ›
The Pringles logo features their mascot, Mr Julius Pringle. Whenever you see Mr Pringles, you will automatically want to look at the chips. Their logo is that of the mascot, which features a bushy moustache and hair parted downwards. Their visual identity through the logo was first designed in 1967.
What was Pringles originally called? ›
The original name was very different.
Pringles were first marketed as "Newfangled Potato Chips," but the name didn't stick. No one is certain where the name "Pringles" originated, but some think it could be an homage to the patent-holder for potato processing equipment ... or it could be the name of a street.
Are Pringles legally chips? ›
The federal government actually stepped in to determine whether Pringles really were potato chips. In 1975, the FDA decided that the company could call Pringles “chips” only if they called out the dried potato ingredient. Instead, Pringles decided to use the term “crisps.”
How old is Pringles? ›
After seven long years of development, Pringles premiered in Evansville, Indiana in 1968. They were not a hit right away - in fact, they were considered a flop until the 1980s - but soon Pringles became a household brand.
What year did Pringles come out? ›
Originally Answered: How did Pringles Potato Chips (or Crisps) come to be so named? Pringles are a brand of potato snacks produced by Procter & Gamble. Pringles were first sold in the United States in October of 1968; they were not rolled out across America until the mid-1970s.
Are Pringles fried or baked? ›
All Pringles® potato crisps are fried, not baked.
What does Pringles mean? ›
/ˈprɪŋɡlz/ a US brand of potato crisps, which are sold in a long tube.
Why can't Pringles be called chips? ›
The Food and Drug Administration decided in 1975 that Pringles could only be called “chips” if they provided a note on the can saying they're not made with real potatoes. Pringles didn't want to do that so it named its product potato “crisps.”
Do Pringles have no potatoes? ›
Ingredients. Pringles have about 42% potato content, the remainder being wheat starch and flours (potato, corn, and rice) combined with vegetable oils, an emulsifier, salt, and seasoning.
But this man is no zoo animal; he is a person like the rest of us—and his name is Julius Pringles. While embodying many looks over the years, Julius Pringles has always sported a recognizable bushy mustache that if you look closely enough has always resembled two Pringles crisps put together.
Who is Pringles owned by? ›
Kellogg Co. (K), known for its Kellogg's brand breakfast foods, is a global food company that sells cereals and snacks such as Cheez-It crackers, Pringles potato chips, and Eggo waffles. 1 W.K.
Is Pringles better than Lay's? ›
Originally Answered: Which is better Pringle's or lays? For me, Lays will always trump Pringles. It's just something about that salty goodness, the fresh crunch of that first chip. Pringles tastes like a mashed potato with one—count it, ONE—dash of salt.
Are Pringles healthier than chips? ›
If you compare them to chips/crisps that aren't so heavily processed (i. e. just fried slices of potato), they largely contain the same number of calories, fat, carbs and salt. However, the Pringles fat is more saturated, and part of the carbs are from sugars (there is no sugar in standard potato crisps).
Why are Pringles not full? ›
The can is designed to keep the chips from breaking and to maintain their shape. However, due to the shape of the can and the packaging process, there may be some empty space at the top of the can when it is filled with chips.
What is the purpose of the Pringles packaging? ›
Furthermore, the new paper-based tube protects the chips and preserves the flavour of the Pringles to help keep them as fresh as the day they were made. Consumers can also reclose the tubes with the recyclable plastic lid to ensure the chips stay fresh after opening.
What was the first packaging of Pringles? ›
And as a brand keen on providing top-quality snacks, it drove away from aluminum bags and went with the now-famous cylinder container. Fredric Baur came up with the cylindrical Pringles design in 1966. it helped Pringles in branding since they are the only company with this design.
Why are Pringles cans shaped that way? ›
The intersecting double curvature and the existence of a minimax point prevent a line of stress from naturally occurring, making every chip more resistant to breakage. This structural integrity not only reduces the chance that chips break in distribution, but also reduces the risk of breakage during production.
Why is there Hebrew on Pringles cans? ›
English and Spanish, are the primary languages of the US and we'd like to be inclusive in that. The Hebrew at the bottom, is approval from the Orthodox Union that this product is Kosher. We hope this helps!
