Cooking With Betty Who? Here are the facts.

Described as an American cultural icon, image of Betty Crocker has endured several generations, adapting to changing social, political and economic currents. Apart from advertising campaigns in printed, broadcast and digital media, she received a number of cultural references in film, literature, music and comics.

Baked goods weren’t the first thing marketed under the Betty Crocker name. In 1941, Betty put out a packaged soup mix. The cake mixes did not hit stores until 1945.

In 1945, Betty was named the second most popular woman in America. She was preceded only by the First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt; hence Betty’s nickname, “The First Lady of Food.”