Cheerios' Early Years

First marketed and sold in 1941, Cheerios became the very first ready-to-eat oat cereal. Compared to hot oatmeal and other breakfast options, Cheerios provided for a morning meal with less preparation that was excellent for those days when you just don't feel like eating something warm for breakfast. HAving cereal and milk for breakfast became the newest fad.

In 1942, Cheerios presented  its first mascot, Cheeri O'Leary.

Soon after, this new breakfast item started advertising that it was as nutritious as hot oatmeal cereals, in order to find popularity among health-conscious consumers.