Biography of Orville Redenbacher

Written by Glen Brown

Orville Redenbacher, born and raised on a farm located in Center Point, IN (near Brazil) 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 an hybrid popcorn that makes epicureans approve with delight, has become cliche for many Americans. 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 and use of skillful marketing techniques, tagged the word gourmet to a common snack food. His father's farm was located in Center Point, IN located about 5 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 hybrid here.

He graduated from Purdue University in 1928 where he accepted his first job as a high school teacher in Fontanet, IN (located 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 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 less kernels in the pan. With an exceptional product and keen advertising, Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet Popcorn became a household snack food and became the leader on store shelves for popcorn. 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 and was seen many times as the advertising model for his popcorn.

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 people that Clay County has as citizens.