Biography of Orville Redenbacher

 

Written by Glen Brown

 

Orville Redenbacher was born on a farm located near Brazil; IN in Clay County is truly synonymous with Gourmet Popcorn on a world-wide scope. Like other famous names associated with foods, Orville Redenbacher's development of gourmet popcorn has delighted epicureans and put smiles on popcorn connoisseurs all around the world.  His name has become household name for many Americans who like popcorn. Of course, no Americans are more proud than those citizens located in Brazil, Clay County, Indiana.

 

Born as Orville Clarence Redenbacher on 16 July 1907 near Brazil, IN, this man became famous and successful due to his superior popcorn.  With skillful marketing techniques, he tagged the word gourmet to a common snack food and rest is history. His father's farm was located in Clay County Indiana about 6 miles south of Brazil on State Road 42. The farm was approximately 160 acres. He graduated from Brazil High School in 1924 and rated in the top 5% of his class. He turned down his chance of graduation from West Point to study agronomy (soil management and plant production) in order to fulfill his dream of being a farm agent for Clay County. He decided to attend Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN where he began his research into hybrid seeds. Prior to leaving Clay County, Orville developed his first popcorn hybrids here while in 4-H.

 

He graduated from Purdue University in 1928 where he accepted his first job as a high school teacher in Fontanet, IN (northeast of Terre Haute) and operated a 12,000-acre farm owned by Tony Hulman, Jr. (owner of Indianapolis 500 Racetrack). The Hulman farm was located in Princeton, IN.  He also was a county agent in Terre Haute, IN. In 1952, he and a friend Charles Bowman bought a small seed corn com­pany near Valparaiso, IN, and worked on selling agricultural supplies which made both of them wealthy

 

Redenbacher continued developing popcorn hybrids that would pop up fluffier with fewer kernels in the pan. With an exceptional product and keen advertising, Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet Popcorn became a household snack food sold in a sealed grass jars.  Before long, his popcorn became the leader on store shelves.  At this time, Orville's co-owner in the business Charles Bowman and he decided to sell their business to Hunt-Wesson Foods. However, Orville Redenbacher with his famous bowtie, red kerchief, and white shirt is synonymous with his famous Gourmet Popping Corn was seen many times as the advertising model.

 

His childhood home that was located on St. Rd. 42 east of St. Rd. 59 is still there. However, the house is no longer there but the outbuildings and water pump where he and his family sipped with a dipper is still there. The owners of the farm today stated that they remembered when Orville would pull up in a white limo, introduce himself, and ask to have a drink from the old well before he strolled around his parent's old farm.

 

     Clay County is very proud of their native son and hope that this little history will open your eyes to one of the great citizens of Clay County, Indiana.