By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
What's considered the gold standard of invention wasn't made in some big city, it was made right in Chillicothe, Missouri.
94 years ago on July 7th, 1928 sliced bread was invented in Chillicothe and the city will be celebrating that anniversary this weekend.
Tourism Director Amy Supple says the invention came from baker Frank Bench and inventor Otto Rohwedder.
"They worked together to create the machine that served as the basis for the invention of sliced bread, it was called the Rohwedder bread slicing machine," Supple tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And, it rolled out it's first mass produced quantities of sliced bread that hit grocery store shelves on July 7th, 1928."
Supple says the community is proud to be along Highway 36, known as the way of American genius. She says sliced bread is one of those great things that shows the regions progressive nature.
"Sliced bread for whatever reason, has become the gold standard of innovation past, present, and future," Supple says. "So, the saying the greatest thing since sliced bread how many of us say that regularly and it's just kind of fun, we have a lot of fun with it, but we are very proud of our history."
Chillicothe will begin celebrations today with a truck and tractor pull as well as a concert by Chris Stewart.
A celebration will be held on Saturday for the anniversary with a parade. Supple says the Greater Than Sliced Bread Parade will have a very small town feel.
"There's nothing more feel good and wholesome and small town than something like the invention of sliced bread, so we just really like to honor that," Supple explains. "So, our mascot, Toasty is his name a giant slice of bread, will be in the parade."
Supple says the parade will also feature numerous floats, kids decorating their bikes, and residents decorating their vehicles. The parade begins at 10am Saturday.
A full day of events is planned Saturday for the anniversary celebration. You can view the schedule of events HERE.
