Rudolf August Oetker
Encyclopedia
Rudolf August Oetker was a German
entrepreneur who became a billionaire running his private food company Oetker-Gruppe.
He served in the Waffen-SS
before he became the president of their family-run business in 1944, inherited from his grandfather August Oetker
, who invented a popular mixture of baking powder
. Rudolf August Oetker elevated the company to a household name in Germany today. The Oetker-Gruppe was one of the symbols of the post-World War II
recovery effort in the country.
Oetker retired as executive director in 1981, turning the position over to his son August Oetker (jr.).
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
entrepreneur who became a billionaire running his private food company Oetker-Gruppe.
He served in the Waffen-SS
Waffen-SS
The Waffen-SS was a multi-ethnic and multi-national military force of the Third Reich. It constituted the armed wing of the Schutzstaffel or SS, an organ of the Nazi Party. The Waffen-SS saw action throughout World War II and grew from three regiments to over 38 divisions, and served alongside...
before he became the president of their family-run business in 1944, inherited from his grandfather August Oetker
August Oetker
Dr. August Oetker was born in Obernkirchen, Germany and died in Bielefeld, Germany. He invented baking powder, although Alfred Bird of England is also credited with inventing baking powder in 1843...
, who invented a popular mixture of baking powder
Baking powder
Baking powder is a dry chemical leavening agent used to increase the volume and lighten the texture of baked goods such as muffins, cakes, scones and American-style biscuits. Baking powder works by releasing carbon dioxide gas into a batter or dough through an acid-base reaction, causing bubbles in...
. Rudolf August Oetker elevated the company to a household name in Germany today. The Oetker-Gruppe was one of the symbols of the post-World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
recovery effort in the country.
Oetker retired as executive director in 1981, turning the position over to his son August Oetker (jr.).