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The Blog of Mostly Pudding

Partly a space for deep dives into the stories behind the museum's historical objects, partly a vintage mad laboratory test kitchen.
A group of male and female workers inside the cafeteria at Servel, Inc., standing beneath a sign that says "Today's Menu For Your Victory Lunch," with accompanying details on salads, meats and fish, vegetables, salads, and milk.

Eat to Beat the Devil

One war plant's participation in a national drive to boost war production through better nutrition.

1940s
5 minute read
A photo collage of a molded Chocolate Sponge plated on a white dish and repeated on a purple background

Chocolate Sponge

A fashionable midcentury dessert that's something like the fluffy love child of a mousse and a pudding.

1950s
3 minute read
Cross-section photo of a slice of tomato soup cake in front of a red background. The cake is studded with walnuts and raisins, and frosted with cream cheese icing.

Tomato Soup Cake

A cake with a "mystery" ingredient becomes a food fad of the Great Depression. Plus, a bonus asparagus cookie surprise.

1930s1950s1970s
20 minute read
Illustration from "Indiana Apples" pamphlet circa 1950s, featuring a freckled, all-American-looking boy holding a bitten apple

Johnny Appleseed Cake

Here's the story of how 20th century America rediscovered—and reinvented—our favorite tin-pot-wearing pioneer hero.

1950s
12 minute read
Slices of various individually plated slices of Jell-O Ice Cream Pie, arranged in a photographic collage

Jell-O Ice Cream Pie

Plus: mayonnaise-filled tomato cups, how to talk to your daughter about chastity before marriage, and an astonishing number of deodorant ads.

1950s
14 minute read