2026 sees the 100th anniversary of an Unordinary Idea landmark. In 1926 Clarence Birdseye perfected the technique of flash freezing. Initially focused on fish, his ‘Birds Eye Frosted Foods’ soon started offering vegetables. Including their eponymous peas.
He changed the quick kid’s mid-week supper forever.
Since then we’ve seen many more ideas, like ready-meals, TV microwaveable dinners, tins, dehydration, and ambient packs. Mainly this has been in the pursuit of greater convenience. But often this has come at the cost of sacrificing taste and nutrition.
Birdseye’s offer remains as relevant today as it was in 1926. We still want tasty, healthy, plus convenient. If you can do the seemingly impossible, and successfully combine these contradictory needs, then you’ve got an Unordinary Idea which will last for another 100 years.
