Like Swanson Frozen TV Dinner products, Hamburger Helper (introduced to the American public in 1971) offered a quick fix, no hassle dinner for those economy-minded consumers who lived fast-paced lives. 

Over the years, the Helping Hand has hawked over 50 varieties of Hamburger Helper. In 1972, Tuna Helper was introduced, followed by Chicken Helper in 1983.

To entice consumers into eating the product, the Helping Hand character donned various apparel or accents to advertise the "tastes" of the world available via The Hamburger Helper ready-mix products. There was the western cowboy used to introduce Chili Macaroni, a Mexican in a sombrero for Cheesy Taco Bake; an Italian gondolier rowing a boat in Venice for Helping Hand Pasta; an tray-toting Italian waiter for Zesty and Cheesy Italian; and a Russian Cossack in a black fur hat for the Creamy Sauce Beef Stroganoff mix.

In 1991, the Helping Hand character was retired from TV campaigns but continued to appear on product packaging.

In September 2001, the Helping Hand returned to TV in the "Hint of Chicken" spot where he puts a funnel on his thumb and pretends to be a chicken to inspire Mom to use Chicken Helper Homestyle Chicken and Mashed Potatoes for dinner.

In a second half-minute spot entitled "Magnet," the Helping Hand rearranges a bunch of magnets on a refrigerator door to read "value size" to influence the Lady of the House to choose Hamburger Helper's Value Size Cheeseburger Macaroni.

These ads (created by the Minneapolis-based Campbell Mithun ad agency) featured the tagline: "Helping you make a great meal tonight." The original 1977 "Helping Hand" ad campaign was the brain-child of DDB Worldwide in Chicago.

So, what is Hamburger Helper? In general, each Hamburger Helper package contains all one needs (Noodles, seasoning and powdered cheese) to turn a pound or two of ground hamburger meat into a complete meal. Just brown the meat in a skillet, add the ingredients provided and–voilá!–a nice tasty meal.

In 1998, Kraft Foods, challenged General Mills share of the quick fix (dry-dinner-mix) meal market by transforming their Stove Top Stuffing line into Stove Top Classics (meals made by adding sauces and seasonings). And even though Campbell Soup (Prego Pasta Bakes), Lipton (Sizzle and Stir) and Pillsbury (Green Giant Complete Skillet Meals) also introduced similar products, Hamburger Helper and its Helping Hand character remain one of America's most recognizable products.

TRIVIA NOTE: Through its TV commercials, The Helping Hand has left an indelible mark on the landscape of American popular culture. Late night talk show host David Letterman has referred to the Helping Hand character in two of his "Top 10 Skits." The February 21, 2001 "Top Ten United States Secrets Sold To The Russians" No. 3 entry read: "The Hamburger Helper hand is real and responsible for over 100 homicides"; and the April, 2, 2001 "Top Ten Effects Of The Giant Solar Flare" No. 6. entry warned: "Hamburger Helper hand springs out of television and starts choking people."

Enthusiasts of the "Death/Grudge Match" phenomenon, too, have teamed the Helping Hand with such competitors as Thing from "The Addams Family" and Star War's Darth Vader. And the National Lampoon movie Vacation (1983) featured Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie who said "Mmm! Mmm! MmmI I don't know why they call this stuff Hamburger Helper. It does just fine by itself, huh? I like it better than Tuna Helper myself, don't you Clark? To which Clark (Chevy Chase) replies "You're the gourmet around here, Ed."

And, of course, where would pop culture be without a wise-ass remark like "Masturbation is the Hamburger Helper of sex. You already have the meat." As to the whereabouts of the Helping Hand's fifth finger, some speculate it can be found floating in "a skillet full of noodles!" See also - Arby's Talking Oven Mitt"

• Betty Crocker Company