J.R.’s success with phosphate led to establishing a department that would determine the advisability of expanding mineral exploration. Expanding his minerals exploration was a no-brainer and throughout the '50's he dove into non-phosphate minerals like silica. #SimplotHistory

Creating new products that are right for the end user has been a staple of the Simplot company. In the 1940's after JR and his chemists had created a great tasting frozen fry, they then had to figure out a way to get it into the marketplace. #SimplotHistory

Innovation is in our blood and a key pillar for our @SimplotCompany. J.R. believed strongly in innovating, he put the chemist's lab next to his office in Caldwell and with his team was able to create incredible frozen foods, like French fries! #SimplotHistory

When the war ended in 1945, the military no longer needed millions of pounds of dried veggies, J.R. turned his attention to the commercial sector to fill the gap! He created and perfected a delicious, innovative and granulated product - instant mashed potatoes! #SimplotHistory

J.R.'s manufacturing plant, leased phosphate reserves & Soilbuilders retail outlets were consolidated in 1946 into the Minerals & Chemical Division. Over the years there were multiple offers to buy it, however J.R. couldn't part with such a successful business. #SimplotHistory

As J.R. was busy with food operations needed for the war, he realized it was difficult to get fertilizer needed to grow good potatoes, so he created the companies first fert plant in 1943. This formed the companies second major division-Mineral & Chemicals. #SimplotHistory

During WWII, @SimplotCompany produced about 1/3 of the dried potato products consumed by the US armed forces. In the picture, J.R. and his employees were presented the prestigious award for "high achievement in producing materials needed for war." #SimplotHistory

J.R. travelled to CA in 1940 to collect $$, while there he met a Chicago food broker. They went to lunch and made a contract on the back of an envelope - this contract started J.R.'s vegetable dehydrating business - a foundational business for Simplot Company! #SimplotHistory

J.R. Simplot Co. began in 1929 with a flip of a coin. After discussing with his business partner who should own the potato sorter, they decided to leave it to chance with a coin flip. J.R. won, continued sorting, bought even more sorters & expanded his business! #SimplotHistory

#SimplotHistory: Founder, J.R., got his start in 1923 selling lambs, and used that $$ to help buy 600 pigs & sold them for $8,400. He used his profits to lease 120 acres of land from farmer Lindsay Maggart, where he began to grow potatoes! Stay tuned for more #Simplot history!