19201950 thumb|right|The Hormel plant circa 1920 In 1921, when George's son Jay Hormel returned from service in the World War I, he uncovered that assistant controller Cy Thomson had embezzled $1,187,000 from the company over the previous ten years. The scandal provided George Hormel with additional incentive to professionalize his company. He did so by arranging for more reliable capital management, by dismissing unproductive employees, and by continuing to develop new products, reportedly with the mantra “Originate, don't imitate". In 1926, the company introduced Hormel Flavor-Sealed Ham, America's first canned ham, and added a canned chicken product line in 1928. Throughout the 1930s, Hormel ads were featured on the radio program The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show.
19201950 thumb|right|The Hormel plant circa 1920 In 1921 when George's son Jay Hormel returned from service in the World War I he uncovered that assistant controller Cy Thomson had embezzled $1187000 from the company over the previous ten years The scandal provided George Hormel with additional incentive to professionalize his company He did so by arranging for more reliable capital management by dismissing unproductive employees and by continuing to develop new products reportedly with the mantra “Originate don't imitate" In 1926 the company introduced Hormel Flavor-Sealed Ham America's first canned ham and added a canned chicken product line in 1928 Throughout the 1930s Hormel ads were featured on the radio program The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show