William A. Mitchell (October 21, 1911 – July 26, 2004) was an American food chemist who, while working for General Foods Corporation between 1941 and 1976, was the key inventor behind Pop Rocks, Tang, Cool Whip, and powdered egg whites.
His first major success came with a tapioca substitute he helped develop during World War II, in response to the disruption of cassava supplies.
[3][4] In 1957, he invented a powdered fruit-flavored vitamin-enhanced drink mix that became known as Tang Flavor Crystals.
[2] Mitchell was a resident of Lincoln Park, New Jersey for many years before moving out west after his retirement in 1976.
Mitchell died of heart failure on July 26, 2004, at the age of 92 in Stockton, California, where he was living with his daughter.