7 Clarence Birdseye 7

involved placing food between two metal plates that were

chilled by a calcium chloride solution to approximately

−40 °F (−40 °C). The second process utilized two hollow

metal plates that were cooled to −13 °F (−25 °C) by vapor-

ization of ammonia. In 1929 Birdseye began selling his

quick-frozen foods, a successful line of products that made

him wealthy. Though his were not the first frozen foods,

Birdseye’s freezing processes were highly efficient ones

that preserved the original flavour of a variety of foods,

including fish, fruits, and vegetables. In 1929 Birdseye’s

company was bought by Postum, Inc., which changed its

own name to the General Foods Corporation, retaining

Birdseye as a consultant. From 1930 to 1934 Birdseye was

president of Birds Eye Frosted Foods and from 1935 to

1938, of Birdseye Electric Company.

Birdseye held nearly 300 patents. Besides his frozen

food process, he developed infrared heat lamps, a recoilless

harpoon gun for taking whales, and a method of removing

water from foods. A few years before his death he perfected

a method of converting bagasse (crushed sugarcane residue)

into paper pulp.

Igor Sikorsky

(b. May 25, 1889, Kiev, Russia—d. Oct. 26, 1972, Easton, Conn., U.S.)

I

gor Ivan Sikorsky was a Russian-born U.S. pioneer in

aircraft design who is best known for his successful

development of the helicopter.

Education and Early Career

Sikorsky’s father was a physician and professor of psy-

chology. His mother also was a physician but never

practiced professionally. Her great interest in art and in

the life and work of Leonardo da Vinci undoubtedly