Orville Redenbacher’s is a well-known American brand of popcorn.
The brand is named for Orville Clarence Redenbacher, an Indiana agricultural scientist and businessman who specialized in developing improved popcorn hybrids. In 1951, Redenbacher and Charles F. Bowman bought a seed-corn plant in Boone Grove, Indiana, and began experimenting with popcorn varieties. They tested tens of thousands of hybrids before selecting one marketed as “RedBow.”
The Orville Redenbacher’s brand was introduced nationally around 1969–1970, with the product promoted as gourmet popping corn. Redenbacher became the brand’s memorable spokesman, appearing in commercials in his trademark glasses and bow tie. His distinctive appearance led some viewers to wonder whether he was fictional, but he was a real scientist and businessman.
The brand changed ownership several times before becoming part of Conagra Brands in 1990. Crackers, potato chips, and pretzels are also snack foods, but none is associated with Redenbacher’s. The brand’s defining product is popcorn, sold both as unpopped kernels and in microwave-ready formats.