Frank Daniel Gerber
Encyclopedia
Frank Daniel Gerber was an American
manufacturer of baby food.
in Allegan County, Michigan
in 1873. He graduated from Fremont High School of Western Michigan in 1887. He then spent one year at the Valparaiso Normal School in Valparaiso, Indiana
, to learn to become a teacher.
Gerber’s father owned a tannery and when he was sixteen he joined his father’s firm. He became a partner of the firm within five years and managed it until it closed in 1905.
in 1901 with his father to market local produce for the farmers. They canned
the farmers' peas, beans, and fruits. This company was the basis of the baby food
industry. He became its president in 1917 when his father died. This first year as president of the firm he had sales that exceeded one million dollars. Gerber expanded the facilities for year-round production in 1914-1915. Before the production was seasonal. Gerber's son Daniel
joined the company in 1920. He became assistant general manager of the canning company in 1926.
Gerber had a granddaughter named Sally
born in 1927 who was sickly. Her mother Dorothy, wife of Daniel, would make by hand a diet of strained fruits and vegetables for her as a pediatrician had recommended. After getting tired of this she suggested to her husband that if his company could make tomato puree perhaps they could make strained peas. Daniel then suggested to his father that maybe they should look into making baby food. Gerber then did some experimenting with test batches in the summer of 1927 of strained baby food on baby Sally and other babies. He also did research on marketing possibilities. He found these successful and started selling it through the canning company in 1928 using the "Gerber Baby
" as their logo symbol. Some twelve years later the baby food line was outselling the adult canned food products. The name was changed to Gerber Products Company
in 1941.
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
manufacturer of baby food.
Early life
Gerber was born in the town of DouglasDouglas, Michigan
Douglas is a city in Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,214 at the 2000 census...
in Allegan County, Michigan
Allegan County, Michigan
-Interstates:* I-196* I-196 Business Loop serves the city of Holland.-US highways:* US-31* US-131-Michigan State Trunklines:* M-40* M-89* M-179* M-222-Allegan County Intercounty Highways:* A-2* A-37* A-42* A-45-Demographics:...
in 1873. He graduated from Fremont High School of Western Michigan in 1887. He then spent one year at the Valparaiso Normal School in Valparaiso, Indiana
Valparaiso, Indiana
Valparaiso is a city in and the county seat of Porter County, Indiana, United States. The population was 31,730 at the 2010 census, making it the 2nd largest city in Porter County.-History:...
, to learn to become a teacher.
Gerber’s father owned a tannery and when he was sixteen he joined his father’s firm. He became a partner of the firm within five years and managed it until it closed in 1905.
Mid life
Gerber founded Fremont Canning CompanyFremont Canning Company
Fremont Canning Company established the baby food enterprise of Gerber Products Company.-Founders:The company was founded by Frank Daniel Gerber and his father in 1901 in Fremont, Michigan. The canning company began with a ten thousand dollar investment. The firm initially marketed canned peas,...
in 1901 with his father to market local produce for the farmers. They canned
Canning
Canning is a method of preserving food in which the food contents are processed and sealed in an airtight container. Canning provides a typical shelf life ranging from one to five years, although under specific circumstances a freeze-dried canned product, such as canned, dried lentils, can last as...
the farmers' peas, beans, and fruits. This company was the basis of the baby food
Baby food
Baby food is any food, other than breastmilk or infant formula, that is made specifically for infants, roughly between the ages of four to six months to 2 years. The food comes in multiple varieties and tastes, can be produced by many manufacturers, or may be table food that the rest of the family...
industry. He became its president in 1917 when his father died. This first year as president of the firm he had sales that exceeded one million dollars. Gerber expanded the facilities for year-round production in 1914-1915. Before the production was seasonal. Gerber's son Daniel
Daniel Frank Gerber
- Early life :Gerber, the subject of this article, went by the name "Dan" to his friends and relatives. He was born in Fremont of Newaygo County, Michigan, in 1898 – the son of Frank Daniel Gerber.- Mid life :...
joined the company in 1920. He became assistant general manager of the canning company in 1926.
Gerber had a granddaughter named Sally
Sally Gerber
Sally Gerber is the daughter of Daniel Frank Gerber who established the baby food enterprise Gerber Products Company....
born in 1927 who was sickly. Her mother Dorothy, wife of Daniel, would make by hand a diet of strained fruits and vegetables for her as a pediatrician had recommended. After getting tired of this she suggested to her husband that if his company could make tomato puree perhaps they could make strained peas. Daniel then suggested to his father that maybe they should look into making baby food. Gerber then did some experimenting with test batches in the summer of 1927 of strained baby food on baby Sally and other babies. He also did research on marketing possibilities. He found these successful and started selling it through the canning company in 1928 using the "Gerber Baby
Gerber Baby
The Gerber Baby is the trademark logo of the Gerber Products Company.-History:Fremont Canning Company, owned and operated by Frank Daniel Gerber and his son Daniel Frank Gerber, were looking for a baby face for its new baby-food campaign that was to start in the later part of 1928...
" as their logo symbol. Some twelve years later the baby food line was outselling the adult canned food products. The name was changed to Gerber Products Company
Gerber Products Company
Gerber Products Company is a purveyor of baby food and baby products. A former American-owned company, Gerber is now a subsidiary of Nestlé, and is currently located in Fremont, Michigan, USA.-History:...
in 1941.
Later life
Gerber died in 1952 and the firm was taken over by his son, Daniel Frank GerberDaniel Frank Gerber
- Early life :Gerber, the subject of this article, went by the name "Dan" to his friends and relatives. He was born in Fremont of Newaygo County, Michigan, in 1898 – the son of Frank Daniel Gerber.- Mid life :...
.
Sources
- Ingham, John N., Biographical Dictionary of American Business Leaders: A-G, Greenwood Press (1983); ISBN 0-3132390-7-X
- Shapiro, Eileen C., Fad Surfing in the Boardroom: Managing in the Age of Instant Answers, Basic Books (1996), ISBN 0-2014419-5-0
- Obituary, New York Times, October 8, 1952