“This is a fun retro package to celebrate 80 years of Cheerios and we also hope it raises awareness of the importance of our oats,” says Kathy Dixon, senior Brand Experience manager for Cheerios. “The goodness of Cheerios and its yellow box has remained consistent over the years, and also has held a special place at the breakfast table with so many families.”

An 80-year legacy for the ‘O’

Our cereal experts in the late 1930s in Minneapolis, Minnesota, tested over 500 formulas and 10 shapes and sizes before arriving at the now iconic O.

Cheerios also played a big part in our innovation pipeline from the very beginning. It was one of several cereals to use a “puffing gun” created by Thomas James, an engineer in our Mechanical Experimental Department at the time, to achieve its texture and shape.

Over the years, Cheerios also has inspired many “flanker” flavors, beginning with Honey Nut Cheerios in 1979.

Today there are 17 permanent flankers and five limited-edition Cheerios cereals including Apple Cinnamon, Chocolate, Fruity, Frosted and Cinnamon.

Editor’s note: Media can download images, here.