The mid-twentieth century was a time of technological developments that made life a bit easier on the average American family. Although devoted bakers would never be caught with a pre-made crust, in 1955, the first frozen pie crust was patented. Modern pie connoisseurs insist that a carefully prepared crust is the foundation that makes or ruins a pie, but by the 1960’s, frozen, ready to bake crusts sold in two packs for around 40 cents. Some supermarkets sold Jell-O pie fillings along side them, for quick and easy dessert inspiration for busy homemakers. Also in the 1960’s, Litton Cochran of Knoxville, Tennessee, began serving his mother’s homemade fried apple pies at his McDonalds location. Sales of the mini apple pie were so successful that by 1970, every McDonalds in the country sold manufactured fried apple pie.