born December 9, 1886, New York, New York, U.S.

died October 7, 1956, New York

After returning to the United States, he began to experiment and, in 1924, helped found General Seafoods Company. Five years later he began selling his quick-frozen foods, a successful line of products that made him wealthy. Birdseye's process consisted of rapid freezing of packaged food between two refrigerated metal plates. Though his were not the first frozen foods, Birdseye's freezing process was a highly efficient one that preserved the original taste 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.