9 questions to test your Twinkie knowledge

Vintage Twinkie sign

This vintage sign featured the character "Twinkie the Kid." Courtesy: Hostess Brands

Hostess Cupcakes

Like Twinkies, Hostess Cupcakes originally sold for just five cents. Courtesy: Hostess Brands

Vintage Twinkie workers

Hostess would eventually grow to a company employing more than 18,000 workers nationwide. Courtesy: Hostess Brands

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SCHILLER PARK, IL - APRIL 20: Hostess Twinkies move through production in their trays at the Interstate Bakeries Corporation facility April 20, 2005 in Schiller Park, Illinois, a suburb northwest of Chicago.

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  SCHILLER PARK, IL - APRIL 20: A worker checks Hostess Twinkies as they move through production at the Interstate Bakeries Corporation facility April 20, 2005 in Schiller Park, Illinois. The Twinkie celebrated its 75th anniversary that …

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Twinkies were the brainchild of James Dewar, plant manager at the company's River Forest, Illinois bakery. He came up with the idea for the inexpensive treat in 1930. The Twinkie celebratd its 75th anniversary in 2005. 

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Posted: 11/16/2012

CINCINNATI - Has there ever been a time without Twinkies? Believe it or not, yes. Twinkies were introduced in 1930.
That's when a bakery manager in the Chicago area wanted to come up with a cheap treat for Depression-era consumers.

As the Tri-State and the rest of the world absorb the news of the Twinkie's demise, we present this quiz.  Simply click "next" to advance to answers and new questions.

QUESTION: What type of filling was originally used in Twinkies?

ANSWER: Banana
QUESTION: Why did Hostess change its filling?
ANSWER: When bananas were rationed during WWII, the company switched to vanilla creme.
QUESTION: The Twinkie rose to fame in the 1950s partly due to Hostess sponsoring what show?
ANSWER: "The Howdy Doody Show"
QUESTION: How much did Twinkies cost when first introduced in the 1930s?
ANSWER: A packet of two cost a nickel.
QUESTION: What is the origin of the name "Twinkie?"
ANSWER: Creator James Dewar came up with the name when driving by a billboard that had an ad for the "Twinkle Toe Shoe Company.” He shortened the name to Twinkie.
QUESTION: What was the name of the original company that turned into Hostess?
ANSWER: Interstate Bakeries, founded in Kansas City, Missouri
QUESTION: Which of these is NOT a Hostess product? Ding Dongs, Wonder Bread, Swiss Rolls
ANSWER: Swiss Rolls, a Little Debbie product
QUESTION: How many employees did Hostess have when it folded in November 2012?
ANSWER: According to the company, 18,500 people
QUESTION: How many bakery outlet stores nationwide closed as a result of the Hostess closure?
ANSWER: 570 stores, according to Hostess
• Looking for Twinkies-themed gifts? The online retailer CafePress.com has a selection.
SOURCE: Hostess Brands
 

Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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