Food

Photo of McCall's Cheese

Part of a nation's history lies in what people eat. Artifacts at the Museum document the history of food in the United States from farm machinery to diet fads.

More than 1,300 pieces of stoneware and earthenware show how Americans have stored, prepared, and served food for centuries. Ovens, cookie cutters, kettles, aprons, and ice-cream-making machines are part of the collections, along with home canning jars and winemaking equipment. More than 1,000 objects recently came to the Museum when author and cooking show host Julia Child donated her entire kitchen, from appliances to cookbooks.

Advertising and business records of several food companies—such as Hills Brothers Coffee, Pepsi Cola, and Campbell's Soup—represent the commercial side of the subject

Topic: Nordic Ware cookware

Santa Claus 3-D Cake Pan, Back

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including gri
Description (Brief)
Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including griddles and steak platters. The same year, Dave Dalquist created a cast aluminum, fluted cake pan and trademarked it as the “Bundt” pan. The company continued to grow its product line to include specialty baking and cookware items, including the microwave turntable. Nordic Ware is notable due to its history of product innovation through engineering, and its continued production of cookware in the United States.
This three-dimensional Santa Claus cake pan (back) was manufactured by Nordic Ware during the early 1950s. The pan is made of heavy cast aluminum in two sections to create a three-dimensional cake that looks like Santa Claus emerging from a chimney. Nordic Ware specialized in manufacturing a variety of seasonal cookware products, including several Christmas-themed cake pans.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Nordic Ware
ID Number
2007.0034.09.2
accession number
2007.0034
catalog number
2007.0034.09.2

Deluxe Cookie King

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including gri
Description (Brief)
Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including griddles and steak platters. The same year, Dave Dalquist created a cast aluminum, fluted cake pan and trademarked it as the “Bundt” pan. The company continued to grow its product line to include specialty baking and cookware items, including the microwave turntable. Nordic Ware is notable due to its history of product innovation through engineering, and its continued production of cookware in the United States.
This Cookie King was manufactured by Nordic Ware during the early 1960s. The Cookie King is used to make spritzgebäck, a Scandinavian cookie traditionally made around Christmastime, by pushing dough through a variety of nozzles to form different shapes. The Cookie King is an example of Nordic Ware’s early cookware that was made to appeal to Minnesota’s large Scandinavian population.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Nordic Ware
ID Number
2007.0034.03
catalog number
2007.0034.03
accession number
2007.0034

Classic Bundt Pan

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including gri
Description (Brief)
Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including griddles and steak platters. The same year, Dave Dalquist created a cast aluminum, fluted cake pan and trademarked it as the “Bundt” pan. The company continued to grow its product line to include specialty baking and cookware items, including the microwave turntable. Nordic Ware is notable due to its history of product innovation through engineering, and its continued production of cookware in the United States.
Nordic Ware manufactured this Classic Bundt Pan in the early 2000s as an attempt to reinvigorate the pan’s past commercial success. The traditional Bundt pan’s popularity rose after one was used to bake the “Tunnel of Fudge” cake that was awarded second prize in the 1966 Pillsbury bake-off. Subsequently, Pillsbury and Nordic Ware paired up to sell Bundt cake mixes and pans with great success.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Nordic Ware
ID Number
2007.0034.21
catalog number
2007.0034.21
accession number
2007.0034

Bunny Cake Mold

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including gri
Description (Brief)
Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including griddles and steak platters. The same year, Dave Dalquist created a cast aluminum, fluted cake pan and trademarked it as the “Bundt” pan. The company continued to grow its product line to include specialty baking and cookware items, including the microwave turntable. Nordic Ware is notable due to its history of product innovation through engineering, and its continued production of cookware in the United States.
This mold was used by Nordic Ware to manufacture its Bunny Cake Pan. Made of heavy metal, the mold is used to cast the front and back halves of the pan. Nordic Ware has always produced a variety of seasonal bakeware, such as the bunny pan created by this mold for Easter time.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Nordic Ware
ID Number
2007.0034.31
accession number
2007.0034
catalog number
2007.0034.31

Bicentennial Aluminum Tray

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including gri
Description (Brief)
Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including griddles and steak platters. The same year, Dave Dalquist created a cast aluminum, fluted cake pan and trademarked it as the “Bundt” pan. The company continued to grow its product line to include specialty baking and cookware items, including the microwave turntable. Nordic Ware is notable due to its history of product innovation through engineering, and its continued production of cookware in the United States.
Nordic Ware manufactured this aluminum tray in 1976 to commemorate the Bicentennial of the United States. The tray bears an image of two men reaping grain, with their crossed rifles propping up an American flag that reads “76.” Nordic Ware sold a variety of Bicentennial cookware in its “In ‘76” catalog to commemorate and capitalize on the occasion.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Nordic Ware
ID Number
2007.0034.16
accession number
2007.0034
catalog number
2007.0034.16

Rosette and Timbale Iron Set

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including gri
Description (Brief)
Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including griddles and steak platters. The same year, Dave Dalquist created a cast aluminum, fluted cake pan and trademarked it as the “Bundt” pan. The company continued to grow its product line to include specialty baking and cookware items, including the microwave turntable. Nordic Ware is notable due to its history of product innovation through engineering, and its continued production of cookware in the United States.
This rosette-timbale set was made by Nordic Ware during the early 1950s. The rosette is a light, deep-fried cookie often served coated with powdered sugar. This set’s dual-pronged handle allows two cookies to be fried at once. This rosette-timbale set is an example of Nordic Ware’s early cookware that was made and marketed to appeal to Minnesota’s large Scandinavian population.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Nordic Ware
Northland Aluminum Products
ID Number
2007.0034.05
accession number
2007.0034
catalog number
2007.0034.05

Rosette Iron Mold

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including gri
Description (Brief)
Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including griddles and steak platters. The same year, Dave Dalquist created a cast aluminum, fluted cake pan and trademarked it as the “Bundt” pan. The company continued to grow its product line to include specialty baking and cookware items, including the microwave turntable. Nordic Ware is notable due to its history of product innovation through engineering, and its continued production of cookware in the United States.
Nordic Ware used this mold to manufacture the irons for Swedish rosettes. The mold is made of heavy metal and has a flower, circle and star design repeated four times to make twelve irons at a time.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Nordic Ware
ID Number
2007.0034.32
accession number
2007.0034
catalog number
2007.0034.32

The Mexican Kitchen—Authentic Mexican Cookware Set

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including gri
Description (Brief)
Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including griddles and steak platters. The same year, Dave Dalquist created a cast aluminum, fluted cake pan and trademarked it as the “Bundt” pan. The company continued to grow its product line to include specialty baking and cookware items, including the microwave turntable. Nordic Ware is notable due to its history of product innovation through engineering, and its continued production of cookware in the United States.
This Mexican Kitchen Cookware Set was manufactured by Nordic Ware in 1982. The set consists of three items: an aluminum tortilla press with a sun design, a taco maker including a wire basket to shape the tacos, and a cup shell former that holds down and shapes tortillas as they fry. This Mexican cookware set was part of Nordic Ware’s “International Specialties” line, developed to meet expanding customer interest in cuisines from different cultures. The cookware came with a set of recipes.
maker
Nordic Ware
ID Number
2007.0034.04
catalog number
2007.0034.04
accession number
2007.0034

Original Bundt Limited Edition Pan

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including gri
Description (Brief)
Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including griddles and steak platters. The same year, Dave Dalquist created a cast aluminum, fluted cake pan and trademarked it as the “Bundt” pan. The company continued to grow its product line to include specialty baking and cookware items, including the microwave turntable. Nordic Ware is notable due to its history of product innovation through engineering, and its continued production of cookware in the United States.
This Bundt pan was a limited edition version, produced for Nordic Ware’s sixtieth anniversary in 2006. This pan is made of heavy cast aluminum, is a 12-cup size, and has a silver, non-stick Teflon coating. The classic Bundt cake pan became very popular after the Tunnel of Fudge Bundt Cake won second-prize at the Annual Pillsbury Bake-Off in 1966.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Nordic Ware
ID Number
2007.0034.28
catalog number
2007.0034.28
accession number
2007.0034

Servo-King Platter Holder Set

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including gri
Description (Brief)
Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including griddles and steak platters. The same year, Dave Dalquist created a cast aluminum, fluted cake pan and trademarked it as the “Bundt” pan. The company continued to grow its product line to include specialty baking and cookware items, including the microwave turntable. Nordic Ware is notable due to its history of product innovation through engineering, and its continued production of cookware in the United States.
This Servo-King platter holder was manufactured by Nordic Ware during the early 1960s. The Servo-King consists of an inner oval-shaped platter of aluminum that could be heated and set inside an outer Bakelite holder that would not conduct heat. The Bakelite holder allowed the platter to be safely served.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Nordic Ware
ID Number
2007.0034.14
catalog number
2007.0034.14
accession number
2007.0034

Stadium Bundt Pan

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including gri
Description (Brief)
Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including griddles and steak platters. The same year, Dave Dalquist created a cast aluminum, fluted cake pan and trademarked it as the “Bundt” pan. The company continued to grow its product line to include specialty baking and cookware items, including the microwave turntable. Nordic Ware is notable due to its history of product innovation through engineering, and its continued production of cookware in the United States.
Nordic Ware manufactured this stadium Bundt pan during the early 2000s as part of their Platinum Collection. Since 2000, Nordic Ware has expanded their market by producing heavy aluminum, specialized cake pans for upscale retailers, most notably Williams-Sonoma, while still making stamped aluminum favorites for mass-market retailers like Target and Kmart.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Nordic Ware
ID Number
2007.0034.19
catalog number
2007.0034.19
accession number
2007.0034

Microwave Turntable

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including gri
Description (Brief)
Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including griddles and steak platters. The same year, Dave Dalquist created a cast aluminum, fluted cake pan and trademarked it as the “Bundt” pan. The company continued to grow its product line to include specialty baking and cookware items, including the microwave turntable. Nordic Ware is notable due to its history of product innovation through engineering, and its continued production of cookware in the United States.
Nordic Ware manufactured the original Micro-Go-Round in 1980 to take advantage of the surging popularity of microwave ovens. Without a rotation mechanism, early microwaves produced food that had hot and cold spots. Identifying this problem, Nordic Ware developed and patented the Micro-Go-Round, which could be wound up and turned on, and would rotate a plate of food for up to an hour to produce evenly heated food.
Description
In 2007 the Museum collected thirty-six objects and twenty cubic feet of archives from Minneapolis-based Nordic Ware, a producer of cookware since 1946. The family-owned manufacturer is best known for its Bundt pan, the world's most popular specialty cake mold.
Over the course of several years company engineers tested an array of plastics to determine which could be used safely in a microwave oven. They also spent a good deal of time designing a turning mechanism that could rotate the plastic surface while supporting a heavy food item, and still be small enough to fit inside the housing. By 1978 they had several working models and, in 1980, introduced the patented "Micro-Go-Round." Between 1981 and 1987, the company shipped about twenty-four thousand Micro-Go-Rounds to suppliers per week.
maker
Nordic Ware
ID Number
2007.0034.17
accession number
2007.0034
catalog number
2007.0034.17

Ebleskiver Pan

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including gri
Description (Brief)
Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including griddles and steak platters. The same year, Dave Dalquist created a cast aluminum, fluted cake pan and trademarked it as the “Bundt” pan. The company continued to grow its product line to include specialty baking and cookware items, including the microwave turntable. Nordic Ware is notable due to its history of product innovation through engineering, and its continued production of cookware in the United States.
Nordic Ware produced this ebleskiver pan during the late 1940s. Ebleskiver, a spherical pancake, is a traditional Danish treat served during the Christmas season. The first incarnation of this product was marketed through the “Maid of Scandinavia” mail-order catalog, making it very popular among Minnesota’s Scandinavian population. This marketing strategy helped establish Nordic Ware as a trusted manufacturer of ethnic cookware.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Nordic Ware
ID Number
2007.0034.10
catalog number
2007.0034.10
accession number
2007.0034

Tender Cooker

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including gri
Description (Brief)
Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including griddles and steak platters. The same year, Dave Dalquist created a cast aluminum, fluted cake pan and trademarked it as the “Bundt” pan. The company continued to grow its product line to include specialty baking and cookware items, including the microwave turntable. Nordic Ware is notable due to its history of product innovation through engineering, and its continued production of cookware in the United States.
Nordic Ware first manufactured a microwave pressure cooker in 1984, which was the first of its kind. Named the Tender Cooker, the pot was another Nordic Ware invention like the Micro-Go-Round that increased the utility of the microwave. The Tender Cooker could quickly cook food, while keeping meat tender and moist instead of drying it out as would often happen in a microwave.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
2007
maker
Nordic Ware
ID Number
2007.0034.27
accession number
2007.0034
catalog number
2007.0034.27

Micro-Go-Round

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including gri
Description (Brief)
Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including griddles and steak platters. The same year, Dave Dalquist created a cast aluminum, fluted cake pan and trademarked it as the “Bundt” pan. The company continued to grow its product line to include specialty baking and cookware items, including the microwave turntable. Nordic Ware is notable due to its history of product innovation through engineering, and its continued production of cookware in the United States.
Early microwave ovens did not heat food evenly. To address this problem, Nordic Ware developed and patented the Micro-Go-Round, a turntable for use inside the microwave, in 1980. In 1985, Nordic Ware manufactured the Micro-Go-Round Plus, which was weight-sensitive. It started when a plate was put on, and stopped when it was taken off. This example of the Micro-Go-Round was made in 2006.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
2007
maker
Nordic Ware
ID Number
2007.0034.26
accession number
2007.0034
catalog number
2007.0034.26

Bundt Pan with Teflon Coating

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including gri
Description (Brief)
Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including griddles and steak platters. The same year, Dave Dalquist created a cast aluminum, fluted cake pan and trademarked it as the “Bundt” pan. The company continued to grow its product line to include specialty baking and cookware items, including the microwave turntable. Nordic Ware is notable due to its history of product innovation through engineering, and its continued production of cookware in the United States.
Nordic Ware produced this Bundt pan with blue Teflon coating in the 1960s.The Bundt pan was one of Nordic Ware’s most successful products, but early Bundt pans had to be floured and greased with shortening to prevent the cake from sticking. When Nordic Ware licensed the non-stick Teflon coating from DuPont in 1964, sales boomed.
maker
Nordic Ware
ID Number
2007.0034.12
catalog number
2007.0034.12
accession number
2007.0034

Cathedral Bundt Pan

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including gri
Description (Brief)
Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including griddles and steak platters. The same year, Dave Dalquist created a cast aluminum, fluted cake pan and trademarked it as the “Bundt” pan. The company continued to grow its product line to include specialty baking and cookware items, including the microwave turntable. Nordic Ware is notable due to its history of product innovation through engineering, and its continued production of cookware in the United States.
The Bundt cake pan has been one of Nordic Ware’s most popular products. Introduced in 1950, it was America’s best-selling specialty cake pan by 1960. This cathedral Bundt pan is modeled after the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The pan was produced in the early 2000s as part of Nordic Ware’s line of unusual and creatively shaped Bundt pans.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Nordic Ware
ID Number
2007.0034.06
catalog number
2007.0034.06
accession number
2007.0034

Crepes 'N Things Pan

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including gri
Description (Brief)
Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including griddles and steak platters. The same year, Dave Dalquist created a cast aluminum, fluted cake pan and trademarked it as the “Bundt” pan. The company continued to grow its product line to include specialty baking and cookware items, including the microwave turntable. Nordic Ware is notable due to its history of product innovation through engineering, and its continued production of cookware in the United States.
Nordic Ware manufactured this crepe pan in the 1950s. This pan resembles an inverted frying pan, with a non-stick convex surface that is dipped in the crepe batter and placed on the stove to cook. The pan is in its original box, which features a description of crepes, as well as several crepe recipes. This information would have been essential for many American cooks in the 1950s and 1960s who would have been unfamiliar with these very thin French pancakes.
maker
Nordic Ware
ID Number
2007.0034.02
accession number
2007.0034
catalog number
2007.0034.02

Bundtlette Mold

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist. The company is notable for its innovative product engineering and continued production of cookware in the United States.
Description (Brief)
Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist. The company is notable for its innovative product engineering and continued production of cookware in the United States. Nordic Ware (previously Northland Aluminum) used this mold to manufacture bundtlette pans. The pan is made of heavy metal and is used to cast a pan that would cook six bundtlette (mini-bundt) cakes at once.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Nordic Ware
ID Number
2007.0034.34
catalog number
2007.0034.34
accession number
2007.0034

Bacon-Meat Rack

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including gri
Description (Brief)
Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including griddles and steak platters. The same year, Dave Dalquist created a cast aluminum, fluted cake pan and trademarked it as the “Bundt” pan. The company continued to grow its product line to include specialty baking and cookware items, including the microwave turntable. Nordic Ware is notable due to its history of product innovation through engineering, and its continued production of cookware in the United States.
Nordic Ware manufactured this microwave-safe bacon-meat rack during the early 1980s. This rack was developed to address the problem of microwave-cooked meat being limp and unappetizing. To be used in conjunction with their Micro-Go-Round for food rotation, the rack would drain some of the fat from the meat, leaving it crispier and less greasy.
maker
Nordic Ware
ID Number
2007.0034.24
accession number
2007.0034
catalog number
2007.0034.24

French Gaufrette Iron

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including gri
Description (Brief)
Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including griddles and steak platters. The same year, Dave Dalquist created a cast aluminum, fluted cake pan and trademarked it as the “Bundt” pan. The company continued to grow its product line to include specialty baking and cookware items, including the microwave turntable. Nordic Ware is notable due to its history of product innovation through engineering, and its continued production of cookware in the United States.
Nordic Ware manufactured this French gaufrette iron during the 1950s. The iron’s two parts are hinged together, with handles extending from the opposite end. After preheating the iron, the rich, buttery dough is spooned onto one of the interior surfaces. The iron is closed and returned to the heat, then turned over to allow even baking. Because the interior surfaces of the iron are scored, a waffle-like texture is imparted to the wafers.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Nordic Ware
ID Number
2007.0034.01
catalog number
2007.0034.01
accession number
2007.0034

Bundt Pan

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including gri
Description (Brief)
Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including griddles and steak platters. The same year, Dave Dalquist created a cast aluminum, fluted cake pan and trademarked it as the “Bundt” pan. The company continued to grow its product line to include specialty baking and cookware items, including the microwave turntable. Nordic Ware is notable due to its history of product innovation through engineering, and its continued production of cookware in the United States.
The most recognizable product that Nordic Ware has produced is its top-selling Bundt Pan. Nordic Ware manufactured this pan in the 1950s. The traditionally German Bundt cake become popular after one was used to bake a “Tunnel of Fudge” cake that placed second in the 1966 Pillsbury bake-off. Subsequently, Pillsbury and Nordic Ware paired up to sell cake mixes and pans very successfully.
Description
This cast aluminum, fluted tube pan was created in 1950 by David Dalquist (1918-2005), co-founder of Nordic Ware, a Minneapolis-based cookware manufacturing company. Launched as Plastics for Industry in 1946, David Dalquist and his brother Mark began making foundry patterns and industrial plastic products for area businesses. They also made aluminum cookware, including specialty products based on Scandinavian baking tools. Nordic Ware's ebleskiver pans, krumkake irons, and rosette irons were popular with the area's large Scandinavian population.
In addition to manufacturing Bundt pans, Nordic Ware also produced cook books and recipes, most of which were tested by David's wife, Dotty, in their home kitchen. "300 Ways to Use Your Bundt Pan" and the "Busy Ladies Bundt Cook Book" contain recipes for making casseroles, salads, and even bread in a Bundt.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950
maker
Nordic Ware
ID Number
2007.0034.30
catalog number
2007.0034.30
accession number
2007.0034

Tyrolean Cake Mold

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including gri
Description (Brief)
Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including griddles and steak platters. The same year, Dave Dalquist created a cast aluminum, fluted cake pan and trademarked it as the “Bundt” pan. The company continued to grow its product line to include specialty baking and cookware items, including the microwave turntable. Nordic Ware is notable due to its history of product innovation through engineering, and its continued production of cookware in the United States.
This is a sand-cast aluminum prototype mold that was used for making Nordic Ware’s Tyrolean cake pan. The design is clearly demarcated on the inside, but the outside is unadorned and has a rough finish. The Tyrolean pan this mold made is one of Nordic Ware’s earliest products, and came with a set of recipes.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Nordic Ware
ID Number
2007.0034.29
catalog number
2007.0034.29
accession number
2007.0034

U.S.A. Pan

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including gri
Description (Brief)
Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including griddles and steak platters. The same year, Dave Dalquist created a cast aluminum, fluted cake pan and trademarked it as the “Bundt” pan. The company continued to grow its product line to include specialty baking and cookware items, including the microwave turntable. Nordic Ware is notable due to its history of product innovation through engineering, and its continued production of cookware in the United States.
Nordic Ware manufactured this cake pan in 1976 to commemorate the Bicentennial of the United States. The designers failed to account for the fact that when the cake was removed from the pan, it would appear as a backwards U.S.A. The pan was then marketed as a serving dish before being discontinued.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1976
maker
Nordic Ware
ID Number
2007.0034.25
accession number
2007.0034
catalog number
2007.0034.25

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