A Brief History of the Bagel

A man in a hat and mustache selling bagels from a basket to a group of boys in vintage clothing and flat caps on a city street.

17th Century: Bagels Are Born out of Necessity

Bagels are created in 17th century Poland as a response to anti-Semitic laws preventing Polish Jews from baking bread. Jewish bakers circumvented these restrictions by boiling the dough before baking it.

A man wearing a cap positive, smiling, and holding a bunch of flowers or plant. In the background, there is a brick wall.

19th Century: Immigration to North America

Polish Jews immigrate to North America and bring bagels with them. They become a staple food in New York and Montreal for both Jewish and non-Jewish communities. Which city makes better bagels? The debate rages on to this day.

Historical black and white photograph of the Beigel Bakers Union Local 338 of Greater New York and New Jersey, featuring portraits of union leaders and members from 1940, with names labeled below each photograph.

Early 1900’s: Bagel Bakers Unionize

The Bagel Bakers Union Local 338 is established in New York City. The union helps establish better working conditions, regulates the bagel-making process, and promotes the expansion of the bagel industry.

A black and white photo of five people working on a machine or mechanical equipment in an industrial setting, with some smiling and looking at the camera.

1950’s: Bagel Rolling Machine Invented

The commercially viable bagel rolling machine revolutionizes the bagel industry. This innovation produces twice as many bagels with half the labor as hand-rolling, making bagels more accessible and affordable to the general public.

Three men, two dressed as chefs and one in casual clothes, stand near a giant giant bagel, with a large scale behind them displaying 'World's Largest Bagel' in red letters. The man on the left is smiling and raising his fist, wearing a medal around his neck. The scene appears to be at a celebratory event or record-breaking occasion.

1960’s: Mass Production Leads to Mass Adoption

Lender's Bagels pioneers the technique of freezing bagels and shipping them to grocery stores across the US. This introduces bagels to consumers across the US, and Murray Lender’s marketing efforts popularizes them outside of Jewish communities.

People serving themselves colorful rainbow cake at a dessert buffet table with various baked goods.

2015: Rainbow Bagel GOES VIRAL

The colorful Rainbow Bagel becomes a viral social media phenomenon. This vibrant and visually striking bagel captures the imagination of consumers from around the world.

Group of six people smiling and holding awards in front of a yellow backdrop with the logo 'BKLYN BAGELFEST'. Some are wearing hats and casual clothes, and two are holding bagel trophies.

2019: New York BagelFest Established

The New York BagelFest is established to celebrate and promote the bagel industry. This first-of-its-kind trade and consumer show is a platform that highlights artisans and businesses from around the world.

A person wearing a mask and gloves is taking freshly baked bagels out of an industrial oven using a large wooden peel. There are numerous bagels on the peel, and more bagels on a tray below. The kitchen setting has stainless steel equipment and shelves in the background.

2021: The Best Bagels are Made…In California?

The New York Times publishes The Best Bagels Are in California (Sorry, New York). While the debate about bagel supremacy rages on, it underscores an essential truth: artisanal bagel-making has transcended New York to the West Coast and beyond.

People gathered around a wooden table in a kitchen, making dough or bread together, smiling and engaging in a group activity.

Today: Bagels Keep on Rolling

New chapters of the bagel’s history are being written every day. Join us in a class or tour and you won’t just learn more about the bagel’s history - you’ll become a part of this iconic food’s storied legacy.

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