Alexander P. Anderson

Alexander Pierce Anderson (November 23, 1862 – May 7, 1943) was an American plant physiologist, botanist, educator and inventor.

He seemed destined to follow his father into farming but changed course at twenty-seven, entering the University of Minnesota in 1890 to study agriculture.

As a college senior in 1894, Anderson invented a "self-registering balance" that was bought by Bausch & Lomb Optical Company.

A loan from his cousin, future Minnesota Governor John Lind helped fund the trip.

[1] After completing his studies, Anderson accepted a position at Clemson Agricultural College and taught in South Carolina from 1896 to 1899.

[1] Anderson's new breakfast food would make him a nationally known figure and the face of a Quaker Oats advertising campaign for almost a decade.

[3][4] Anderson traveled to Minneapolis for a meeting set up by John Lind and William C. Edgar (1856-1932), editor of Northwestern Miller magazine.

When a gauge showed what he felt was enough pressure, Anderson used a sledgehammer to knock loose the removable head.

By fair's end, Anderson's team had puffed more than 20,000 pounds of rice and sold a quarter-million packages.

[6] They also bought more land in the area; supported charities, notably the Vasa Children's Home; and endowed student scholarships.

The property is now the location of the Anderson Center, site of a 700 residency program for artists, writers, and scholars.