Colonel Sanders was an American businessman, best known as the founder of the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) restaurant chain, which became a fast-food sensation in the 1960s. Born Harland David Sanders, he had a varied early career. He left home as a young man and worked a variety of jobs, including as a farmhand, railroad conductor, fireman, salesman, and soldier in the U.S. Army. However, he struggled to keep a job for long. In the midst of the Great Depression, Sanders began cooking chicken for customers at his service station in Corbin, Kentucky. After years of experimentation, he developed his now-famous secret blend of 11 herbs and spices. He also introduced the pressure cooker—a new technology at the time—to speed up the cooking process, allowing him to serve more customers. The title "Colonel" was honorifically awarded to him by Kentucky Governor Ruby Laffoon in 1936, and he later adopted the title as part of his public persona. He began dressing in a distinctive fashion, complete with a white suit and black string tie, to match his image as the "Colonel." Sanders eventually franchised his Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants, and by 1964, when he sold his stake in the company, there were already 600 outlets. He continued to be associated with KFC as its spokesman and brand ambassador, appearing in advertisements and public appearances. In 1974, Sanders published his autobiography, titled "Life As I Have Known It Has Been Finger Lickin' Good." Today, over a billion pieces of Sanders’ “finger-lickin’ good” chicken are served annually in more than 150 countries around the world.