Marion A. Trozzolo

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Marion A. Trozzolo (1925 - 1992) was a pioneer, visionary, innovator, inventor, entrepreneur, and professor of business at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri. He is called the "inventor of the Teflon coated frying pan" [1]and was the developer of the Kansas City entertainment district River Quay. Trozzolo died of cancer June 30, 1992, He was married to his wife Phyllis for 35 years. They had seven children, Alexandra, Angela, Andrea, Anita, Peter, Jon and Alisa.

Contents

[edit] Early life

Trozzolo was born in Castrolibero Italy, and was one of three brothers. His family immigrated to Chicago, Illinois in 1927 for a better life for their children. A veteran of World War II, Trozzolo earned a Silver Star and Purple Heart for his service. After the war, he attended the University of Chicago where he received a bachelor's degree in Philosophy and a Master's degree in Business Administration. Trozzolo moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 1951 to pursue a career as a professor of business administration and economics at Rockhurst University.

[edit] The Happy Pan

In 1957 he founded Laboratory Plasticware Fabricators producing plastic-coated scientific utensils, including a Teflon-coated magnetic stirring rod. He eventually experimented with coating pans and E. I. duPont deNemours & Company executives endorsed the plan.[2]

In 1961 he unveiled the "Happy Pan", a Teflon coated frying pan (although the frying pans had been selling in France since 1954). He was the first American to manufacture and market Teflon coated frying pans.

After its success, other companies began marketing the pans and he went back to focusing on his scientific instrument sales and got out the kitchen ware industry.

One of the original Happy Pans is now at the Smithsonian Institution.

During the Presidency of Ronald Reagan he marketed Teflon coat mementos in honor of the "Teflon president." He was also to donate a Teflon coating for the fence around the Harry S. Truman home in Independence, Missouri.

[edit] River Quay

The name “Quay” means a landing place by a body of water, and the pronunciation is “key”. The name was selected because the area’s northern boundary is the Missouri River and the district is the site of Westport Landing, a stopping place for explorers and settlers of the West. This is where Kansas City began.

As early as 1958, Trozzolo discovered the charm of the old buildings surrounding the city market. Over the years he acquired over 30 buildings. By 1971, a real community of small shops was forming and on June 30, 1972 River Quay was officially born. In two years it grew to include over 80 shops and restaurants which attracted thousands of people each year. The entertainment district was similar to Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco, California or Old Town, Chicago. It's initial slogan was "The Old New Town."[3] In 1973, he said, “We have a real feeling of community. People are happy here. Even the shoppers and business people who come just for lunch are smiling and more relaxed.” Perhaps that is why River Quay’s slogan became “A community in downtown Kansas City, rich in leisure, arts, craftsmanship and 19th century flavor.”

Trozzolo was especially creative in his marketing campaign of "The River Quay". He imported three red double-decker buses from Great Britain and began to run bus routes all over town. Promoting and encouraging people to "Come see... The River Quay" (the official slogan) with bill boards and painted signs.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Marion Trozzolo, Teflon Pan Manufacturer, 66 - New York Times - July 3, 1992
  2. ^ TEFLON MAKER: OUT OF FRYING PAN INTO FAME - New York Times - December 21, 1986
  3. ^ Revitalization Without Wreckage - Associated Press via Southern Illinoisan in Carbondale, Illinois, April 18, 1972

[[Category:People from Kansas City|Trozzolo]Mindspin Media]