1885

Baking Powder Mixer/Sifter

Baking powder is one of the earliest inventions associated with Fort Wayne. Thomas Biddle operated a drugstore at Columbia and Calhoun Streets with his partners Cornelius and Joseph Hoagland. They de-veloped a formula for baking powder in 1865. The ingredients included baking soda, cream of tartar, and a "filling" of starch or flour combined in a bin. Rotating brushes mixed and sifted the powder which then dropped into a drawer. Biddle sold his rights to the brand "Royal Baking Powder" in February 1868 for $8,000. Biddle was allowed to make the baking powder for his drug store but could not use the brand name. Soon afterward it became very well-known when the Hoaglands moved to New York and invested a large amount of money in an advertising campaign making "Royal" the most widely distributed baking powder in the world. This baking powder sifter/mixer was made in 1885 and was used in Fort Wayne. The large wooden mixer still retains its original red paint, iron crank, gears and legs.