TV dinners were first introduced in 1953 by C.A. Swanson & Sons, marking a significant milestone in the development of convenient frozen meals. This concept emerged during a time when the company faced an excess of frozen turkey, with around 260 tons left over after Thanksgiving.

While the term "TV dinner" became widely popular with the launch of these packaged meals, the roots of the concept can be traced back to earlier developments in the 1920s. However, it was in 1954 that these meals truly gained traction in the market. The combination of frozen food technology and the rise of television consumption at that time contributed significantly to the popularity of TV dinners.

For more information, you can visit the following sources:

• HISTORY on the invention of TV dinners
• Wikipedia entry on frozen meals
• WBKR's history of TV dinners
• Library of Congress overview
• Supermarket News on TV dinner's prime time

Sources

Who Invented the TV Dinner? - HISTORYFrozen meal - WikipediaThe History of TV Dinners - WBKRWho invented frozen dinners? When did they become popular?Who “invented” the TV dinner? - Library of CongressTHE TV DINNER HITS ITS PRIME - Supermarket NewsTIL in 1954, when the Swanson TV dinner was first sold in ... - Reddit

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