Talk:Harland Sanders

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It seems unclear whether it should be "Harland" or "Harlan".

It is "LOinel", but most of the time, when it was pronounced,

the "D" was silent. Rogerd 03:42, 28 Mar 2005 (UTC)

Rogerd is correct...If you REALLY want to verify this, enter Sanders' first and last name here, in the social security death index: http://ssdi.rootsweb.com/4.247.143.203 02:14, 20 November 2006 (UTC)Deej

The pictures seem redundant. I say we replace one of them with an actual portrait of him. --BDD 16:49, 1 Mar 2005 (UTC)

looks like the first one was used in the KFC article. what say we put the portrait in its place?

well i think that's a great idea so why don't we go ahead , STYLE MEIN RENAE HAI KYA

Contents

[edit] Reverts

I'm trying to get rid of a bunch of repeated sections in this article but Acroterion reverted it back using the "Twinkle" program (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:TWINKLE). Can someone tell me what is going on and why the page cleanup is being reverted? Squirrelfisher 21:16, 6 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Vandalism?

Are the references in the article to racism vandalism? If they aren't they really need some reference or at least some justification. --Murphoid 06:19, 14 April 2007 (UTC)

I just reverted a similar claim that had just been inserted by 209.247.5.57 . This may be worth keeping an eye on. Lordrosemount (talk) 09:23, 28 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Drunk quote

I've heard a quote attributed to him: "I'm too drunk to taste this chicken." Is there any truth to this?

[edit] Didn't he become Vegetarian before his death, renouncing his former career?

[edit] Didn't he die poor?

I heard he died with almost no money. The company which bought his franchise got most of the money from him.

[edit] Was he a Real Colonel?

Was he a real Colonel? I read he served in the Navy, which has no rank of Colonel.

He's a "Kentucky colonel", an honor bestowed by the Kentucky Governor, if I remember correctly. Not dissimilar to a knight in England. — Stevie is the man! Talk | Work 01:53, 16 Apr 2005 (UTC)
I think this interesting aspect of his name should be elaborated on in the article Ewlyahoocom 19:34, 6 October 2005 (UTC)
So he's a Colonel like the music business Colonel?. Im shocked, i really thought he was a colonel!
spookay i like poo! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.40.183.47 (talk) 23:47, 17 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Page move

I moved the article to Colonel Sanders from Harland Sanders, as the name by which Sanders is commonly known. - Vague |

[edit] Sounds like an advertisment

Hate to say this, but most of the article sounds like an advert on how great the man was, something like an official biography would say. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 81.129.111.85 (talk • contribs) 16:07, April 28, 2005.

But it's about an American! It HAS to be aggrandized! -Barcode711 —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 207.210.16.76 (talk) 04:45, 17 December 2006 (UTC).

[edit] Born-again Christian

The following was just added by an anonymous contributor:

Shortly before his death, Sanders became a born-again Christian; after attending a McDuff Brothers gospel concert.

Pending a source for this, I've taken it out of the article. — Stevie is the man! Talk | Work 04:13, May 26, 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Nightmares

Colonel Sanders scared me when I was a little girl. I used to have nightmares about him. I called him "the hotman" back then. It was way scary. User talk:Angie Y. 02:15, Jul 01, 2005 (UTC)

funny, when I was a kid I thoght he was a headless monster(cause how the icon of him looks).

Yeah? Angie Y. 22:57, 3 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Not really an advertisement

This is just the little life story thing taken from KFC.com and reworded a little, no wonder it's just making out that he's and "all american hero"

[edit] 11 Herbs and Spices?

There is little doubt that Sander's chicken had the 11 herbs and spices. But according to a book titled Big Secrets, an analysis was done and it is believed they're no longer (all) in there, some of them replaced with MSG.

Actually, the book says the only spices in the breading in the mid-80s (when it was writteN) were black pepper, salt, sugar (!) and MSG. --Jfruh (talk) 12:36, 9 June 2006 (UTC)
So why does the article still say that the recipe is "one of the best-kept secrets in business"? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Wcoynelloyd (talk • contribs) 06:02, 8 May 2007 (UTC).
far more importantly, the article itself is self-contradictory, as one section says that the Colonel's 11 herbs and spices are "still used today", while another says that "only salt, black pepper, and MSG" are in use. Someone needs to make up their mind. 204.97.183.31 15:04, 13 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Sanders and Dave Thomas

64.123.238.45 (talk · contribs) added the following, which I reverted:

after being sold to Dave Thomas, and re-sold back to Mr. Sanders for over a million dollars in which Mr. Thomas used to start his Wendys franchise which became even bigger then KFC.

According to Wendy's web site [1], Thomas at one point owned four franchises in the Columbus, Ohio area, certainly not the entire chain, which would have been worth much more than a million dollars. --Rogerd 02:30, 11 November 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Disambiguation?

A search for "Sanders" leads directly to this page. Granted Colonel Sanders might be the most famous bearer of the surname, but there are other notable people who share it as well. IMO a disambiguation page would be preferable. 69.196.138.93 22:24, 19 December 2005 (UTC)

[edit] This Article should be expanded

This article is in need of attention and needs to be expanded. For Pete's sake, he only founded one of the world's largest franchises, and is an international cult figure! Эйрон Кинни 00:39, 28 January 2006 (UTC)

The biography by John Pearce contains a lot of information. I don't have time to work on it tonight, so feel free to look up the book and beat me to it :-) Rbean 06:48, 28 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Trivia

  • In Japan, the Colonel is known as "Mister Fried Chicken" and often has a Japanese face with the Colonel's trademark glasses, suit, and beard.

Pending a verifiable source, this has been removed. Considering that I have lived in Japan for years and never heard anything remotely like this, I doubt a verifiable source can be found. The closest I've heard is the nickname "Colonel ojisan" ('ojisan' approx. means middle-aged gentleman).

  • in tenacious d's 2006 tour, Sanders appeared in hell, because of him killing so many chickens, and he got recruited as the drummer for the band

i went to the new york concert on friday and saw it

[edit] What's My Line?

I added trivia that the Colonel appeared on the game show What's My Line. I left out this quote from after his job was revealed that shows his determination to promote his product: "You never heard of finger-lickin' good Kentucky Fried Chicken? Kentucky Fried Chicken is different than ordinary fried chicken. There's eleven different spices and herbs and a patented method of frying. We have over 900 outlets, all the way from Honolulu to Black Pool in London and Manchester England, all across the continent, all selling... And wherever you see a picture of this mug of mine, you know you're going to get good food -- at least good chicken!"

If anyone thinks it belongs somewhere, feel free to use it TheHYPO 04:33, 11 June 2006 (UTC)

It's either misquoted, or the Colonel didn't know his British geography - Blackpool is in North West England, and is nowhere near London ;-) AdorableRuffian 19:34, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Article

Guys the section on trivia is longer than the rest about him. That's a little sad on the main page, I recommend that the article be broken off. Called like Colonel Sanders in pop culture or something and leave a redirct from the main page something like {{ Main| Colonel Sanders in pop culture }} I'll do it if no one else will. Outside Center 17:28, 23 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Dead?

Who was the person that came on Big Brother if Colonel Sanders is dead?

An impersonator. FireSpike 19:53, 1 September 2006 (UTC)
I say you he dead! >:| 216.162.76.45 (talk) 21:41, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Trivia section

Per WP:AVTRIV, I propose that we delete the trivia section, or severely pare it down. --rogerd 19:29, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

Well, I think that this section really is largely cultural references to Colonel Sanders. I think much of this material could go into its own article. I say this because Col. Sanders is a significant cultural icon, and thus a subarticle on a subject like this isn't out of the question. Stevie is the man! Talk • Work 15:34, 15 October 2006 (UTC)
I moved it to a separate article, which was subsequently deleted because it was deemed unencyclopedic. Please do not re-insert this cruft back into the main article. --rogerd 21:25, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Confusing

He appeared in many of his company's television commercials between the 1950s and 1970s (with his and KFC's slogan "Finger-lickin' good"), and remained outspoken about the quality of the KFC product, often with a lively vocabulary. In 1975 a libel lawsuit was filed against Harland Sanders by Kentucky Fried Chicken for his comments, including calling the gravy "sludge" and the mashed potatos "wallpaper paste". The suit was unsuccessful, and he continued to speak out when he felt the quality of the business he founded waned.

This isn't particular clear and is a bit confusing. At first it sounds like he supportive of the (high) quality of KFC throughout his life but it becomes clear that at some stage he began to feel the quality had waned and spoke out against it. It's not particularly clear when this occured (although we can assume it was after 1970 and before 1975 and whether he remained opposed to it to the end of his life (which wasn't much longer after 75 of course). Nil Einne 08:03, 31 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Here Here

Here here I agree absolutely. He is such a hero he has done so much for the world thank you Mr. Sanders thank you.

[edit] Name

Since the man's name was Harland Sanders, I suggest that the title of the article be changed accordingly, and that Colonel Sanders be redirected there. Fishhead64 20:55, 29 November 2006 (UTC)

Actually, it was renamed to this last year [2], but I think you are right. Articles about people with military titles (i.e. Mark Clark, William Westmoreland, John Pershing, T. Michael Moseley, Ronald Keys) are titled by the name only. Some will argue that in this case Colonel is not a military title (and it isn't), and that is what he was known by. I would say that the people I listed are usually known as General X, also. --rogerd 22:07, 29 November 2006 (UTC)
It seems to have been moved without discussion. Unless there is widespread objection, I will move it back to his actual name, per wikipedia practice (as you noted). Fishhead64 16:40, 30 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] possible copyright infringement - Path to global recognition

This section is the exact replica of the history of KFC written on walls of various KFC restaurants here in the Philippines. I just ate at KFC - Rockwell Mall last night and read this word-per-word statement! KathzzZzcHat | siGn heRe 03:43, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Non-Commercial Tv appearances?

Ther was an episode of "Little House on the Prairie" Where Nellie's Restaurant gets converted to a fast food joint where they only have three different meals.

At the end of the episode, a person who looks like Col. Sanders rolls up in a wagon and pitches the idea of a restaurant that only serves fried chicken. I've always wondered if that really was Col. Sanders of it he was an impersonator. I don't remember when the episode aired. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Bizzybody (talk • contribs) 05:11, 16 January 2007 (UTC).

It was an actor and the character was billed as "bearded man". See the Little House on the Prairie (TV series) page for details.

[edit] Inspirational?

I often hear the story of Colonel Sanders being turned down 1009 times before selling his recipe (while driving across the country, sleeping in his car!). Could anyone verify this statement?

[edit] Claudia Sanders link

I removed a link to Claudia Sanders Dinner House, a restaurant that Col Sanders sold to some other company some time back. The link doesn't seem relevant to this biographical article or appropriate per WP:EL. Someone restored the link without explanation so I took it out again. If someone wants to reinsert it could they please explain the reasons here. 64.160.39.153 19:52, 18 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] KKK

Several times I've heard the rumor that Sanders left a considerable sum to the KKK after his death. Snopes even has an article debunking it. Perhaps it warrants mention?--209.243.31.233 21:44, 7 May 2007 (UTC)

If it has been debunked then it doesn't warrant mentioning. I'm from Kentucky and have never heard that rumor. All you would be doing is propagating a false rumor. What's the point in that? Talmage 04:01, 30 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Commercial writing?

"Over the next nine years, he perfected his method of cooking chicken that used the same eleven herbs and spices that are used today at KFC."

I feel this and other bits of the article display a style you might see in a short commercial history article on kfc.com rather than being encyclopedic or neutral. Doesn't it deserve a warning label?

Einaraxel 20:42, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Fair use rationale for Image:KFCnewlogo2.png

Image:KFCnewlogo2.png is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.BetacommandBot 04:46, 5 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Colonel Sanders at Twin Teepees restaurant in Seattle?

Numerous sources indicate that Harland Sanders managed the Twin Teepees restaurant in Seattle, WA at or around 1941-1942. Some go so far as to claim that he perfected his chicken recipe while working there.

http://parkprojects.com/2000news/0008aug/hstteepees.html

https://digital.lib.washington.edu/php/architect/record.phtml?type=structure&structureid=8697&lcountry=USA&lstateprov=WA&lcity=Seattle

http://www.historylink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=2890

Some of these sources say that it may be apocryphal information, however, and the KFC timeline http://www.kfc.com/about/history.asp doesn't mention anything about it. Has this been debunked already, and if not, should it be added to the article? Alucinor 23:51, 26 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Fraternity

The article claims Sanders dropped out of school before he was a teenager, yet he was somehow able to go to college to join a fraternity. Which of the two facts is false? (Neither is sourced) Laïka 12:34, 12 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Sales Legend

There's a story that he trawled 1009 restaurants over 2 years trying to do a split-revenue deal for his recipe before he got a "yes". Where does that fit into his biog here? EdX20 00:52, 19 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] PETA

The PETA propaganda that consistently is put in this article needs to stop. Colonel Sanders had not abused chickens the way KFC allegedly does, and the piece of the gravestone PETA placed next to his, was not only a despicable act, but it also serves no purpose here. Roaddogg34 (talk) 22:34, 26 January 2008 (UTC)

I think that this is a legitimate part of his legacy, at least as much so as his alleged "secret spices." Other famous people, such as Adolf Hitler have a grave marker with unfaltering text shown in their Legacy sections? I don't for a minute mean to compare Harlan Sanders with Adolf Hitler, just two wiki articles about famous people.Bob98133 (talk) 01:07, 27 January 2008 (UTC)
I've returned the first half (the half with a citation) of that paragraph. The gravestone itself may be PETA propaganda, but covering the mere fact it exists surely is not. — maestrosync talk&contribs, 07:06, 27 January 2008 (UTC)

The gravestone surely is propaganda. As far as a mention of it goes, it can still be looked at as propaganda since the purpose of the gravestone was pure propaganda. A pathetic attempt at a protest which happened years after ones death, does not mark a persons legacy. The main point of the protest should be against YUM! brands and not Colonel Sanders. Roaddogg34 (talk) 22:34, 29 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] philanthropist

so I took my child to the hospital yesterday and noticed that I was taking him to the Colonel Harland Sanders Family Care Unit and I was surprised to find out that the benefactor was indeed "Colonel Sanders" of KFC fame. Perhaps this should be worked into the article somehow? Xenocidic (talk) 19:08, 29 January 2008 (UTC)

I agree that this would be part of his legacy, assuming that it is true. You would need some references. I'm no big McDonalds fan but I know that their Ronald McDonald charities do lots of good work, so if the Colonel did something similar it deserves recognition to keep the article blanaced. You have to be diligent with checking refs though, as in the case of the Shriners who claim to support the Shrine Hospitals but do so to a very limited extent - about 2% of their budget.Bob98133 (talk) 19:26, 29 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Recent Page Move

This page was recently moved from Colonel Sanders to Harland Sanders. I believe it should revert back to Colonel Sanders, as that is the name he was widely known by. This is even more so in the years since his death, since he is now known primarily as an iconic marketing symbol for a large franchised restaurant chain. His name appears on the menu in several places as "Colonel" rather than his first name. As this is an honorific rather than a true title, I believe that points 6 and 7 apply. In particular: "In general, use the most commonly recognized English-language form of the name. Create redirections or disambiguations for other plausible links." There is also a bit about "their name is unrecognisable without it", which I am not sure quite applies, but he's been dead for 28 years. I think it's plausible that an entire generation does not know his first name, as we who grew up with him do, especially since it's all about the "Colonel" now, as seen with Colonel's Crispy Strips and Colonel's Secret Recipe on the menu, not to mention a bucketload of references to "Colonel" and zero for "Harland" in the shopping area. (In addition, a google search for "Colonel Sanders yields 486,000 hits; "Harland Sanders" yields 37,600.)  Frank  |  talk  02:21, 9 June 2008 (UTC)

I think (7) definitely applies, but the footnote to (6) states "a Courtesy title is an honorific prefix applied to the sons and daughters of hereditary peers," which is not the case here. Point 7 speaks about names - "Colonel" was not the man's name. Indeed, Point 7 talks about a choice among common names, and provides an example: "Where a person is known by their second name, the title of the article should be (Second name) (Surname) and the text should begin (First name) (Second name) (Surname), e.g. Gordon Brown." Again, "Colonel" was not Harland Sanders' name. If any naming convention is appropriate to invoke here, it is probably this one - but even here, the examples provided are of those who used a stage name or pen name, and I think it is debatable whether this applies in Sanders' case. To me, the closest example is that of William M. Tweed, who is known almost exclusively as Boss Tweed. 132,000 Google hits are produced for the latter; 7460 for the former, yet the article is under the name of the former.
I will concur with Frank that the issue is debatable - there is, for example Billy the Kid. So the issue is not clear-cut, by any means. But I think it is unhelpful to conflate the advertising icon with the actual individual. fishhead64 (talk) 05:05, 9 June 2008 (UTC)
I would argue that Tweed should be moved. And, just to muddy the waters somewhat, Colonel Tom Parker appears with both his title and his first name in the article title. Regarding the advertising icon, I think it is relevant; Sanders may be more universally known after his death than before, because of the advertising.  Frank  |  talk  10:00, 9 June 2008 (UTC)