COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 2052

Cookies and Crackers

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

14companies1898–1975founding years12still active2no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedNabisco Foods GroupFoundedNabisco Foods Group
1898
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedBestfoodsFoundedBestfoods
1906
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedLance, Inc.FoundedLance, Inc.
1926
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
FoundedRoland Murten A.G.FoundedRoland Murten A.G.
1938
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedMcKee Foods CorporationFoundedMcKee Foods Corporation
1957
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedJ & J Snack Foods CorporationFoundedJ & J Snack Foods Corporation
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
FoundedHillsdown Holdings plcFoundedHillsdown Holdings plc
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Nabisco Foods Group →
Active · founded 1898
For nearly a century, Nabisco has been one of the most widely recognized names in the American food industry.
Nabisco Foods Group →
Active · founded 1898
For nearly a century, Nabisco has been one of the most widely recognized names in the American food industry.
Bestfoods →
Defunct · founded 1906
Bestfoods is one of the largest food companies in the United States, with two main businesses: consumer foods and…
Bestfoods →
Defunct · founded 1906
Bestfoods is one of the largest food companies in the United States, with two main businesses: consumer foods and…
Lance, Inc. →
Active · founded 1926
Lance, Inc.
Lance, Inc. →
Active · founded 1926
Lance, Inc.
Roland Murten A.G. →
Active · founded 1938 · Switzerland
As the manufacturer of Zwieback and brand name pains croustillants, Roland Murten is a household name throughout…
Roland Murten A.G. →
Active · founded 1938 · Switzerland
As the manufacturer of Zwieback and brand name pains croustillants, Roland Murten is a household name throughout…
McKee Foods Corporation →
Active · founded 1957
Family-owned and operated, McKee Foods Corporation is the David to such Goliaths as Nabisco Brands, Lance, and…
McKee Foods Corporation →
Active · founded 1957
Family-owned and operated, McKee Foods Corporation is the David to such Goliaths as Nabisco Brands, Lance, and…
J & J Snack Foods Corporation →
Active · founded 1971
J & J Snack Foods Corporation is a manufacturer and exporter of snack foods, beverages, and frozen specialties.
J & J Snack Foods Corporation →
Active · founded 1971
J & J Snack Foods Corporation is a manufacturer and exporter of snack foods, beverages, and frozen specialties.
Hillsdown Holdings plc →
Active · founded 1975 · United Kingdom
Hillsdown Holdings plc is a somewhat obscure holding company for a wide range of food, homebuilding, furniture, and…
Hillsdown Holdings plc →
Active · founded 1975 · United Kingdom
Hillsdown Holdings plc is a somewhat obscure holding company for a wide range of food, homebuilding, furniture, and…
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