Hooray for Frozen Food!

While sitting at my desk eating a frozen burrito from Trader Joe's, I read the following information and found it to be quite interesting ...

"On this day in 1930, Birds Eye frozen foods debuted on the market in Springfield, Massachusetts. Although his commercial venture in frozen foods was not unprecedented, Clarence Birdseye [the 'father of frozen foods'] was the first to present his product in a truly consumer-friendly package. He was inspired to develop his freeze-drying techniques during his expeditions in and around Labrador, in northeastern Canada, where he observed Eskimos' methods of food preservation. He realized that if foods are frozen quickly enough, ice crystals cannot form, and the foods retain their original flavor and texture. By applying these techniques to meat, fish, vegetables and fruit he enabled his products to reach consumers in a much fresher state. After the initial market tests, Birds Eye frozen foods moved on to nationwide distribution a few years later."