Father of instant noodles dies at 96
We should all give thanks – in some form or another – to Mr. Momofuku Ando, the Japanese inventor who blessed the world over with “instant” noodles. Mr. Ando passed away at the age of 96 due to heart complications.
He was born in Taiwan in 1910, when the island was under Japanese colonial rule. He moved to Japan in 1933, according to Japan’s daily Mainichi newspaper.
Faced with food shortages in post World War II Japan, Ando developed the idea that a quality, convenient noodle product would help feed the masses. He founded Nissin in 1948.
In 1958, “Chicken Ramen,” the first instant noodle product, was introduced after many trials. Following its success, the company continued to add innovative products, including “Cup Noodle” in 1971.
I, personally, have lost count of the number of evenings during college that I would have gone hungry had I not been saved by instant noodles. Broke and with little time to prepare an actual meal, instant noodles continue to be a godsend.
Is there anyone out there that can’t admit to a similar situation whereby instant noodles saved them?
