Everyone knows and loves oreo and it may actually be someone’s favorite snack. It’s easily recognized by its traditional design of two chocolate cookies filled with a creme filling. Not only is its design recognizable but also its color scheme. The black-and-white color scheme is simple yet extremely effective which is why it works so well.
Over time Oreo has branched out to different flavors such as candy corn, birthday cake, strawberry milkshake creme, peanut butter creme, cool mint creme, triple double oreo neapolitan, banana split creme, and more. Oreo’s have also branched out into making different unique desserts like mixing with cakes, pies, milkshakes, cupcakes, beverages,candies, and seasonal desserts. While Oreo has impacted the world, not too much is known about Oreo’s history.
This history of the oreo is an interesting one. Oreos actually started off being known as the “knockoff cookie”. They were based on the cookie named Hydrox. The Hydrox was a cookie created in 1908 and discontinued in 1999, while the Oreo came out in 1912. The Oreo first made its debut and was sold to a grocer in Hoboken, New Jersey on March 6, 1912. Which is why March 6 is celebrated as National Oreo Day, to celebrate the day the Oreo was introduced to the world.
Surprisingly enough it wasn’t just called an Oreo, it was called an “Oreo Biscuit”. Later in 1921 it was renamed to “Oreo Sandwich” then again in 1948 to “Oreo Creme Sandwich” and finally in 1974 to “Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookie”. Interestingly, both companies, hydrox and oreo, were family owned. Actually the creation of these two companies were made from a brother rivalry to figure out who can create a better cookie.
Hydrox was made from one brother, Jacob, while Oreo was created by the other brother Joseph. They had a long hated rivalry, and this competition only fueled it even more. While Joseph and Joseph’s rivalry is what gave birth to the creation of Oreo. A company formed from multiple bakeries owned by the brothers, nabisco, eventually “created” the oreo later in 1912. Nabisco believed they could make a “better” hydrox, which is what we know today as an Oreo.
There were multiple factors in Oreo’s success besides its delicious flavor. One major contribution to its success is its marketing strategy. Back in the day they marketed towards children in hopes parents would buy it for their kids. They created the slogan “Milk’s favorite cookie”, this was changed later to “twist, lick, dunk”. Their consistent marketing along with a kid friendly approach made them the successful company they are today.
Sources : https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-the-oreo-cookie-1779206 https://blog.bigpromotions.net/the-history-and-successful-marketing-of-oreo/#:~:text=OREO%27s%20marketing%20strategy%20has%20been,Lick%2C%20and%20Dunk%E2%80%9D%20campaign. https://adrianroselli.com/2019/06/hydrox-was-first-to-market.html
