Milling Journal - Q2 2008 - (Page 10) The Changing Face of Milling IAOM keynote address looks at the history of flour milling in America. North American Millers’ Association (NAMA) Vice President Jim Bair delivered the keynote address at the 112th International Association of Operative Millers Conference and Expo in Orlando, FL. famous millers who pioThe history of the millneered the milling indusing industry in the United try in the 19th and 20th States, the birth of flour centuries. enrichment, and the fuThose pioneers inture of the milling induscluded brothers try were the subjects for Cadwaller and William Bair during his May 15 Washburn and Charles speech to over 400 IAOM Pillsbury and his uncle, members at the InternaJohn Pillsbury. tional Millers Education These men harnessed Foundation breakfast the power of the Missis(IMEF). sippi River’s St. Anthony NAMA, according to Falls in Minneapolis, MN, Bair, has 48 member comJim Bair in the second half of the panies operating 170 NAMA Vice President 19th century to produce wheat, corn, and oat mills flour from the wheat and in 38 states. other small grains grown on the great Bair said these companies operate at northern prairie. greater than 95% capacity and total proIn 1900, Minneapolis was the milling duction currently exceeds 160 million capital of the nation, with a daily capacpounds per day. ity of 130,000 cwt. By 2005, Bair said, Bair explained that milling played an the Minneapolis grind was only 17,500 cwt. per day. • “Why do the agricultural colleges not do something to help in the matter of wheat rust?” (1904) • “The time is ripe to show the nutritive value of white flour and the absurdity of the claims of fad food manufacturers.” (1905) “Advances in biotechnology and other sciences will lead to a new green revolution in crop production.” Jim Bair What Goes Around Bair drew knowing smiles from his milling audience as he drew ironic parallels between many of the issues of yesterday with those currently challenging the milling industry. He used the technique of putting a quote or statement on the big screen and challenging the audience to guess the year it was made. Following are a few examples: “In 1900, Minneapolis was the milling capital of the nation, with a daily capacity of 130,000 cwt. By 2005, the Minneapolis grind was only 17,500 cwt. per day.” Jim Bair important role in the early history of the United States. As an illustration, Bair revealed that U.S. Patent No. 3—for an improved grist mill—was issued to Oliver Evans in 1790. The patent was signed by President George Washington and Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson. Bair illustrated his presentation with many historical drawings and photographs of early mills and some of the 10 Second Quarter 2008 MILLING JOURNAL
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