What is the origin of name TV dinner?

The term "TV dinner" originated in the United States in the early 1950s to describe a pre-packaged, frozen meal designed to be heated and served in front of the television. These meals were initially marketed as a convenient option for families with busy schedules, allowing them to enjoy a quick and easy meal while watching their favorite TV shows.

The name "TV dinner" was coined by C.A. Swanson & Sons, a frozen food company based in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1953, Swanson introduced the first commercially successful TV dinner, which consisted of a compartmentalized aluminum tray containing turkey, cornbread dressing, peas, and sweet potatoes. The meal was an immediate hit, and other food companies soon followed suit with their own versions of TV dinners.

The name "TV dinner" quickly became synonymous with pre-packaged, frozen meals, and it is still commonly used today to refer to these types of meals. The popularity of TV dinners peaked in the 1950s and 1960s, but they have remained a staple in the frozen food section of grocery stores ever since.