Many cereals come and go over the course of a few years – remember Cinnamon Mini Buns cereal? . . . or Dinersaurs? But a few cereals have been around for more than a hundred years. For example, Wheatena has been produced since the 1880s.
I’ve never actually eaten Wheatena – but this 1919 advertisement makes me want to give this old-time cooked cereal a try. What’s not to like? It has a tantalizing nutty flavor, is nourishing, is easy to prepare, AND it tastes good.
A Hundred Years Ago 
I’ve had Wheatena and while I understand how healthy it is, I wasn’t taken with the texture of it. It was warm, though. I’ll give it that.
hmm. . . maybe I should reconsider whether I actually want to try Wheatena.
You need to try it, Sheryl, and report back!! I think I’d like it . . .
If I try it, I’ll let you know.
I wondered if this was related to Cream of Wheat, and it is. The primary difference is that Cream of Wheat is ground more finely. Even now, I’ll stir up some Cream of Wheat in the winter. I ought to try the Wheatena.
The texture of Wheatena (“nutty”) definitely sounds different than the semi-smooth texture of Cream of Wheat.
The graphics are so evocative of yummy to drive good health.
I absolutely love the images used to illustrate this ad. I am intrigued by the three similar drawings, each larger than the previous one; and the thought process that went into the design. I don’t think they are exact duplicates (except for size), but they are very similar.
I actually was going to comment on that – but could not decide if they were similar or exact. But then, I don’t think they had technology like ours, to just size graphics. Effective though! We used to leave cereal boxes on the table, to be read by kids as they ate. I bet Wheatena images were much enjoyed over the years.
Your comment reminded me of how my family also read the cereal boxes. We learned lots of interesting tidbits from those boxes.
Never heard of this cereal, but now I’m curious enough to give it a try. The advertisement worked! 🙂
I had a similar reaction to this ad. I also want to try the cereal. This ad has definitely stood the test of time. Whoever designed this ad was very skilled.
I love the advertisement. I don’t recall hearing of Wheatena. Sounds good. I looked it up and now I want to try it. Kudos to the cereal for being around 140 years. ~applause~
It’s amazing how long this cereal has been around.
I remember having Wheatena for breakfast fairly often when I was growing up. It was Brown and a bit hardier than Cream of Wheat, as I recall.
It sounds good.
Hi Sheryl, I don’t know whether we sell this cereal in Canada? I will try to remember to check the shelves. Always fun to read your posts:)
Even in the U.S., I think that it would be considered a bit of a specialty cereal -and is more popular is some regions than others. It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoy this blog. I have a lot of fun doing it.
The drawing is eye-catching and charming, but what’s up wth that graphic at the bottom? Simulating a mountain? Anyhow, this whole post intrigued me, because I had heard of Wheatena but wondered about its ingredients and history. It was invented in a small bakery on Mulberry Street, NYC, one of the first cereals to be sold in a box. Lots of fun facts on Wikipedia, including this: “In the episode “Operation Friendship” of the TV show M*A*S*H, speaking about going to breakfast, Hawkeye asks if there are “any volunteers for this suicide mission?” To which Colonel Potter responds, “Not I. I’m going to dine alone in my tent. Mildred sent me some Wheatena.”
hmm . . . I have no clue what the graphic at the bottom may represent. Maybe I look at data and statistics too much, but to me it looks a little like a skewed curve (rather than a normal curve). The way that it’s skewed to the right suggests that most people like Wheatena . . On the other hand, maybe it represents a mountain. 🙂
Thanks for finding the history of this cereal. It’s hilarious that Wheatena was mentioned in M*A*S*H. Your comment makes me want to try to find that episode and watch it.
I remember it!
It’s nice to hear that this post brought back some (hopefully good) memories of this cereal.
I remember it ,and I would rather have Cream of Wheat … but that was a my childhood opinion as I haven’t had since then. I like the ad though… even dad will want to come back for more.😊
Similarly to you, it’s been a long time since I’ve eaten Cream of Wheat. I think that I last made it when my children were toddlers.
I love the Ad some of the older ads do have a timeless appeal…Never heard or had that cereal I was brought up on porridge in the winter and that was it 🙂 I love your posts of past times keep them coming …Have a great weekend Sheryl 🙂
I have a lot of fun doing this blog, and it’s wonderful to hear that you enjoy it. I hope that you also have a wonderful week-end.
It’s always fun seeing the old ads…even father would like it!!! I’ve never eaten cereal for breakfast, I’ve only just realized that!xxx
I’m impressed. I grew up eating many of the sugar-laden cold cereals – and now sometimes wonder about why we thought they were healthy.