William Salice
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William Salice ("sah-lee-chee"; 18 July 1933 – 29 December 2016) was an Italian businessman. He was employed at Ferrero SpA, where he was credited as the inventor of Kinder Eggs.[1][2]
William Salice | |
|---|---|
Salice in 2009 | |
| Born | 18 July 1933 Casei Gerola, Lombardy, Italy |
| Died | 29 December 2016 (aged 83) Pavia, Lombardy, Italy |
| Occupation | Businessperson |
| Known for | Creating Kinder eggs |
Life and career
Salice was born on 18 July 1933, in the Italian comune of Casei Gerola.[1] He began working at Ferrero in 1960, and eventually became a close collaborator of the company's owner, Michele Ferrero.[2][3]
He thought up the concept of Kinder Surprise Eggs in the late sixties,[4] while researching alternative uses for the manufacturer's easter egg chocolate moulds, which went unused most of the year.[2] Despite this, he insisted on referring to Michele Ferrero as the inventor, claiming to merely be the idea's "material executor".[1][2] Kinder Eggs were launched in 1974.[4]
Salice also played a part in the creation of several other Ferrero products, such as Ferrero Rocher and Pocket Coffee.[2]
After his retirement in 2007, Salice co-founded the Color Your Life Foundation, alongside Italian entrepreneur Enrico Gasperini.[5] It provides free courses for young aspiring entrepreneurs.[6]
Salice died on 29 December 2016, in the town of Pavia, after suffering a stroke. He was 83.[1][2][3][4]