Some Of The Best Retro Junk Foods Came From The Mind Of One Brilliant Scientist

In 1941, Mitchell was hired by General Foods (via America Fun Fact of the Day). As this coincided with the early years of World War II, The Atlantic explains, he was tasked with inventing a substitute for tapioca. The war had depleted tapioca resources, which was presenting issues for soldiers abroad. That being said, Mitchell created a substitute that integrated starches and gelatin. Ultimately, Smithsonian Magazine writes, the troops nicknamed this new and improved tapioca “Mitchell’s mud” for his efforts. The product was a hit. His next big invention was in 1957 with Tang, a powdered sugary drink.

Although the Tang wasn’t an immediate success, that all changed when NASA made it the official drink for the Mercury and Gemini missions (per Linda Hall Library). However, some astronauts were not a fan. Years later, NPR reported that Buzz Aldrin proclaimed that “Tang Sucks.” In the 1950s, The Atlantic writes, Mitchell also created Pop Rocks, fruit-flavored candy that fizzes once it enters the mouth. This invention was actually a mishap that resulted from an attempt in creating an instant soda. Nonetheless, Smithsonian Magazine states that Mitchell didn’t patent the product until 1961, and Pop Rocks were not released on the market until 1975 (via the Los Angeles Times).

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