Anderson, A. P. (Alexander Pierce)

Alexander Pierce Anderson (1862-1943) was a plant physiologist whose work on the structure of starch led to the invention of the expansive processing for grain that is known as "puffing". He invented this process in 1901-1902 during his tenure as a researcher at the New York Botanical Garden Research Laboratory. He sold his patent on the process to Quaker Oats in 1902. Anderson continued research on the minute structure of starch grain, developing improved cereal foods and adhesives until his death in 1943.

From the description of Alexander P. Anderson records, 1899-1931. (New York State Historical Documents). WorldCat record id: 155462267

Alexander Pierce Anderson was born in Featherstone Township, Red Wing, Minnesota on November 22, 1862. Anderson received a Master of Science degree from the University of Minnesota in 1895. He received a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Munich in 1897. Anderson was a professor and bacteriologist at Clemson College from 1897-1898 and 1900-1901. He was the creator and inventor of "puffed wheat" and "puffed rice" cereal products. Anderson had a business relationship with the Quaker Oats Company for several decades. Alexander Pierce Anderson died on May 7, 1943.

From the description of Alexander Pierce Anderson collection, 1892, 1895, 1899-1902, 1921, 1933, 1935, 1940, 1943-1944, 1968, 1978, (bulk 1901-1902) (Clemson University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 180703399

Alexander Pierce Anderson (1862-1943) was a plant physiologist whose work on the structure of starch led to the invention of the expansive processing for grain that is known as "puffing". He invented this process in 1901-1902 during his tenure as a researcher at the New York Botanical Garden Research Laboratory. Anderson was born in Featherstone, Goodhue County, MN on Nov. 22, 1862. He received his B.A. (1894) and M.S. (1895) from the University of Minnesota. With the encouragement of Daniel Trembly MacDougal, his advisor at University of Minnesota, he went to Munich and earned his Ph.D. there. MacDougal invited him to work at NYBG. He sold his patent on the process to Quaker Oats in 1902 and left NYBG. Puffed Rice was first exhibited at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. Anderson continued research on the minute structure of starch grain, developing improved cereal foods and adhesives until his death in 1943.

From the description of Alexander P. Anderson records 1899-1931. (New York Botanical Garden). WorldCat record id: 44261761

Alexander P. Anderson invented the process of puffing cereal grains and other starches. He was born in Featherstone, Minnesota in Goodhue County on November 22, 1862, the son of John and Britta Anderson, Swedish immigrants.

Anderson went to the University of Minnesota in 1890 and received his B.S. in 1894 and his M.S. in 1895. In 1895 he went to the University of Munich (Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München) in Germany, where he got his Ph.D. in 1896. He taught at Clemson College in South Carolina from 1897-1898, married Lydia Johnson of Glasgow, Scotland, in 1899, and taught at the University of Minnesota in 1899. He returned to Clemson and taught there from 1899-1901.

In 1901 he became the Curator of the Herbarium at Columbia University, which allowed him to do research at the New York Botanical Garden, where he discovered the process of puffing starch. He obtained patents on the process and started the Anderson Puffed Rice Company in 1905, which was in business until 1941. He partnered with Quaker Oats and developed puffed rice and wheat products, including the cereal Quaker Crackles. He conducted his work in a lab in Chicago until 1917 when he built his own Tower View laboratory at his home near Red Wing, Minnesota, and continued his experiments there.

He also conducted numerous experiments in aerodynamics, working on a wind motor based on the theories and principles of tornadoes, and other ideas, including experiments on puffing wood, the growth of fruits, pumpkins, watermelons, gourds, and fungi. In 1937 he was awarded the Charles Reid Barns honorary life membership by the American Society of Plant Physiologists, and he published a book of short stories, poetry, and reminiscences of his boyhood in Minnesota titled The Seventh Reader in 1941. He died on May 7, 1943.

From the guide to the Alexander P. Anderson papers and research notebooks., 1855-2003 (bulk 1890-1943)., (Minnesota Historical Society)