Sunday, January 15, 2006

More Crisps

I've just remembered that I heard on the news the other day that Golden Wonder has closed down. I will keep that crisp packet, as it will probably be worth thousands in years to come.

Perhaps this would be a good moment to reflect on the history of Golden Wonder crisps. Here it is -


In 1947 William Alexander, a Scottish bakery owner, started to produce potato crisps each day after the early morning baking shift had been completed. He called the delicious result Golden Wonder.

Little could he have known at the time that, from such humble beginnings, he had given birth to the brand that would become market leader less than twenty years later. A brand characterised by innovation and one that would achieve true difference and standout.

Today, Golden Wonder is a key player in the crisps market, being one of the UK’s leading producers and boasting an impressive six unique, household-name sub-brands.


1947 William Alexander – originally a mining engineer – starts to produce crisps.
1960 Golden Wonder became brand leader in Scotland.
1961 Imperial Tobacco purchased Golden Wonder.
1962 The first ever flavoured crisp – cheese & onion – was launched.
1964 Golden Wonder’s Corby factory became the largest crisp factory in the world.
Golden Wonder Potato Sticks launched.
Smokey Bacon flavoured crisps launched.

1965 Golden Wonder launched unique packaging to keep crisps fresher for longer – using the “Crackle Fresh” slogan.

1966 Golden Wonder becomes brand leader and the fifth-largest grocery brand in the UK.
1967 Roast Chicken flavoured crisps launched.
1969 Beef & Onion flavoured crisps launched.
1970 Wotsits launched.
1971 Head office moves to Market Harborough.
1972

Ringos launched.

1973

Golden Wonder founder William Alexander dies.

1974

Pickled Onion flavoured crisps launched.

1977 Pot Noodles launched.

I'm sorry this only goes up to 1977. One key event in the 80s was the lauching of Worcestershire sauce flavoured crisps in 1983

5 comments:

alexhighrise said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
alexhighrise said...

this is interesting

baruch said...

I feel so foolish. I posted my crisps comment on your pigeons blog. Please forgive a novice.

Anonymous said...

yes your history is good on golden wonder william alexander stayed on as managing director when he sold golden wonder to imperial tobaco,you can be asured this information is correct as he was my great grandfather.

Jade and Josh said...

Can I get in contact with you? I think we may be related. My grandad was married to his daughter.