Millions of young girls baked their first cookies, cupcakes and brownies because of Ronald Howes.
According to a story at the Cincinnati Enquirer, as director of research and new product development for Cincinnati-based Kenner Toys in the early 1960s, Howes created what would become a household name and one of America’s most iconic toys by drawing inspiration from a Kenner salesman who had just made a trip to New York City.
Upon returning, the salesman wondered aloud whether Kenner could develop a toy version of the chestnut roasters seen on many New York City street corners.
With that remark, the proverbial light bulb clicked on over Howes’ head.
“He started thinking about that and wondering how to create a safe version of that for kids,” recalled Nancy Howes, his wife of 47 years.
Much of his experimentation was conducted in the Howes’ own kitchen before he finally settled on the concept that made the idea both safe and practical by deciding to use a light bulb to heat the oven.
And the rest is toy industry history.
Photo by Kenner/Cincinnati Enquirer.