Cereal

Commercially boxed breakfast cereal was first introduced to the American public in 1906. Ever since then, it has been a mainstay in our society--and not just as breakfast. To a large number of people, cereal has just as much iconic and sentimental value as it does nutritional benefits. As with the introduction of any new concept, competition in the cereal market quickly ensued. As a result, cereal companies started using cartoon and other likable characters to promote their products. After a while, these characters took on lives of their own and were soon popping up on other products in addition to the cereal box.Cereal bowls, candy dispensers, small toys and clothing are just a few things you can find with your favorite cereal characters on them. The General Mills line of cereal seems to have the characters with the biggest cult following, with the personalities on the Count Chocula, Lucky Charms, and Boo Berry cereal boxes topping the list. In addition to cartoon characters, the more healthful cereals like Wheaties have showcased the faces of famous athletes like Mary Lou Retton and Michael Jordan on their cereal boxes. All of the competition in the cereal market has not done much to quench the rising cost of ready-to-eat cereals. And to make matters worse it seems as if the boxes are actually getting smaller. Of course, financially savvy customers are finding a way to fight back by clipping and trading cereal coupons with their fellow cereal lovers.