Ronald Howes
Encyclopedia
Ronald B. Howes was the American
toy inventor, best known for his invention of the Easy-Bake Oven
, which was introduced to consumers
in 1963.
grandmother and her American
husband in Over-the-Rhine
, a historic neighborhood in Cincinnati. Howes' family ran a series of small grocery stores in the city during the Great Depression
.
Howes taught himself to read before kindergarten
. He left Walnut Hills High School during World War II
in order to enlist in the United States Navy
. He served in the South Pacific
during the war before returning to Cincinnati.
He earned his bachelor's degree
from the University of Cincinnati
, where he had already earned some credits while in high school.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
toy inventor, best known for his invention of the Easy-Bake Oven
Easy-Bake Oven
The Easy-Bake Oven is a working toy oven introduced by Kenner in 1963, and currently manufactured by Hasbro. The original toy used an ordinary incandescent light bulb as a heat source; current versions use a true heating element. By 1997, more than 16 million Easy-Bake Ovens had been sold.The...
, which was introduced to consumers
Consumer
Consumer is a broad label for any individuals or households that use goods generated within the economy. The concept of a consumer occurs in different contexts, so that the usage and significance of the term may vary.-Economics and marketing:...
in 1963.
Early life
Howes' mother died when he was born. He was raised by his GermanGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
grandmother and her American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
husband in Over-the-Rhine
Over-the-Rhine
Over-the-Rhine, sometimes shortened to OTR, is a neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is believed to be the largest, most intact urban historic district in the United States. Over-the-Rhine was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 with 943 contributing buildings...
, a historic neighborhood in Cincinnati. Howes' family ran a series of small grocery stores in the city during the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
.
Howes taught himself to read before kindergarten
Kindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
. He left Walnut Hills High School during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in order to enlist in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. He served in the South Pacific
Pacific Ocean theater of World War II
The Pacific Ocean theatre was one of four major naval theatres of war of World War II, which pitted the forces of Japan against those of the United States, the British Commonwealth, the Netherlands and France....
during the war before returning to Cincinnati.
He earned his bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
from the University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
, where he had already earned some credits while in high school.