August 9, 1886: On this day, William Vere Cruess was born. Cruess was an innovator in food science who popularized frozen storage for fruit products, and invented methods for using fruits in extracts, syrups, and concentrates. Cruess’ studies were also instrumental in the resuscitation of California’s wine industry following the lifting of Prohibition in 1933. He passed away on March 13th, 1968.

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