A Brief History Of The Twinkie

Spongy cake filled with vanilla cream – the Twinkie has been a lunchbox staple and pop culture icon since its invention in 1930. From movie cameos to courtroom drama, here’s a rundown on the history of the Twinkie.
America’s favorite snack cake got its start in Schiller Park, Illinois – just outside of Chicago – when James Dewar, a manager for the Continental Baking Company, came up with a new idea for using strawberry shortcake pans after strawberry season was over. His plan? To bake the cakes and fill them with banana cream. Inspired by an advertisement for “Twinkle Toe Shoes,” Dewar dubbed the cakes “Twinkies” and sold them for five cents per package of two.
During World War II, bananas were rationed, so the filling was changed to vanilla cream. The new flavor was such a hit, Hostess – the brand under which Twinkies were sold – never changed it back.
Throughout the ’50s, the snack cake gained popularity, especially among kids, thanks in part to Hostess sponsoring the children’s show Howdy Doody. Twinkies also went on to grace the big screen. The most famous example is 1984’s Ghostbusters, when Egon Spengler uses a Twinkie to explain psychokinetic energy.

But the Twinkie story isn’t all happy. Twinkies unexpectedly made headlines at the 1979 trial of Dan White, who killed San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk. White’s lawyer argued that White had become increasingly withdrawn and depressed, gorging on sugary foods, including Twinkies. The argument that White suffered from diminished capacity, evident in his changed eating habits, helped bargain his sentence down to manslaughter, and became known as the “Twinkie Defense.”
Over the years, Twinkies maintained their popularity and were even included by Bill Clinton in the National Millennium Time Capsule in 1999. In 2012, Americans suffered a brief panic attack when it was announced that Hostess was filing for bankruptcy. Die-hard fans bought up every package they could find (despite the fact that Twinkies only have a maximum shelf life of 45 days, contrary to the legend that they stay fresh indefinitely). But their tears soon dried when new owners bought the brand and returned the treat to store shelves in a matter of months. After more than 80 years, it looks like Twinkies are here to stay.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.