Which company began producing Triscuit crackers in 1903?

The Shredded Wheat Company began producing Triscuit crackers in 1903. Production started in Niagara Falls, New York, after inventor Henry Perky developed the product and patented the underlying process in 1902.

Triscuits were made from whole wheat and produced using equipment and methods related to shredded-wheat manufacturing. Niagara Falls was a practical location because of its hydroelectric power, including electricity from the major power plant opened there in 1895. Early advertisements even promoted Triscuits as being “baked by electricity.”

The name’s origin is often debated. One explanation connects “tri” with electricity, while another says it refers to the cracker’s three ingredients: wheat, oil, and salt. Historical advertising and incomplete records make the exact naming story uncertain, but the company and production year are well established.

The Shredded Wheat Company was acquired by National Biscuit Company, later known as Nabisco, in 1928. Triscuit production and ownership subsequently changed hands, and the brand is now associated with Mondelez International.