On 7 July 1928, the world took a major step towards modern convenience when sliced bread was sold commercially for the first time by the Chillicothe Baking Company in Missouri, United States.
The innovation came after inventor Otto Frederick Rohwedder developed a machine capable of automatically slicing a loaf of bread into even pieces. The invention was hailed as one of the biggest advances in baking since the introduction of wrapped bread.
Otto Rohwedder’s groundbreaking invention
Before sliced bread became available, consumers had to cut their own loaves at home using a knife. Although bread wrapping had improved storage and cleanliness, slicing remained a time-consuming task.
Rohwedder, an American inventor and jeweller from Iowa, spent years developing a machine that could cut bread quickly and consistently. His first designs faced challenges, including concerns that sliced bread would become stale more quickly and difficulties keeping slices together after cutting.
To solve the problem, Rohwedder created a machine that sliced the loaf and wrapped it immediately, helping maintain freshness while providing customers with ready-to-use portions.
Chillicothe Baking Company introduces a new era
The Chillicothe Baking Company became the first bakery to use Rohwedder’s machine commercially. The company launched its sliced bread product under the name “Kleen Maid Sliced Bread” on 7 July 1928.
The pre-sliced loaves quickly attracted attention from consumers who appreciated the convenience. The product reduced preparation time and made it easier to prepare sandwiches, toast and other meals.
The success of the innovation soon encouraged other bakeries across the United States to adopt similar technology.
“The greatest forward step” in baking
The introduction of sliced bread was widely celebrated as a major achievement for the baking industry. Advertisements promoted the convenience and uniformity of pre-sliced loaves, helping change the way people bought and consumed bread.
The invention transformed bread production and retail, turning a once-manual household task into an automated process.
By the 1930s, sliced bread had become a common feature in American homes, and the phrase “the greatest thing since sliced bread” later emerged as a way to describe a highly impressive invention or idea.
A lasting impact on everyday life
Rohwedder’s invention changed more than just the way bread was sold. It influenced food preparation habits, supported the growth of packaged foods and became a symbol of modern convenience.
Nearly a century later, sliced bread remains one of the most familiar and widely used food innovations in the world, with Rohwedder’s machine remembered as a landmark moment in the history of baking.
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