Cheerios grows through the years

Walk down the grocery aisle and you can find more than a dozen varieties of Cheerios. The General Mills brand has grown significantly since the debut of Cheerioats in 1941. Honey Nut Cheerios, the top-selling branded cold cereal in 2011, arrived in 1979.

1941 Cheerioats/Cheerios

1979 Honey Nut Cheerios

1988 Apple Cinnamon Cheerios

1992 Multi Grain Cheerios

1995 Frosted Cheerios

2003 Berry Burst Cheerios

2006 Fruity Cheerios

2008 Oat Cluster Cheerios

2009 Banana Nut Cheerios

2010 Chocolate Cheerios

2011 Cinnamon Burst Cheerios

2012 Multi Grain Peanut Butter

Source: General Mills

The cereal hit the shelves as Cheerioats but changed its name in 1945 to avoid conflict with Quaker Oats.

1942

Cheeri O'Leary becomes the cereal's first marketing mascot.

The "Big G" logo appears on General Mills cereal boxes for the first time.

1979

Honey Nut Cheerios is released and the bee mascot, named Buzz Bee in a nationwide contest in 2000, debuts.

2000