National TV Dinner Day – September 10, 2024

History of National TV Dinner Day

As television became more of a pastime, families began to gather around it to have a good time. The concept of TV dinner was created in order to make the experience even better. Originally known as TV Brand Frozen Dinner, TV dinners became popular in the 1950s.

50 years before the boom of TV dinners, meat was already a common frozen commodity. But it didn’t have a wide appeal because the freezing methods made the food lose flavor and taste.

The evolution of frozen foods was aided largely by Clarence Birdseye, who discovered a quick and effective way of freezing fish as early as 1925. With this knowledge, he expanded the process into vegetables. This method of frozen foods was used in procuring food for the military during World War II.

In 1949, Albert and Meyer Bernstein ushered the idea of TV dinners to the larger market. They founded Frozen Dinners Inc. and began selling their products in the Pittsburgh area.

However, TV dinners became popular after C.A. Swanson and Sons rebranded the idea of frozen dinners. This time, there was a general acceptance of the idea, and TV dinners became an instant hit.

The original idea is credited to Gerry Thomas, a Swanson salesman. After low Thanksgiving sales, there was an abundance of turkey left. In an attempt to salvage the leftovers, Gerry Thomas claims to have come up with the idea of TV dinners.

Today, TV dinners cover a limitless range of food, including fruits and vegetables. And National TV Dinner Day is the holiday that is set aside to appreciate and enjoy the simplicity of eating while enjoying a good time in front of your television set.