I just read a great article about the Ramen Noodle turning 50 this year over at npr.org.
Some interesting facts: inventor, Momofuku Ando, was 48 when he invented Instant Ramen and 61 when he invented Cup Noodles! This year, Instant Ramen demand is expected to surpass 100 billion servings worldwide.

Apparently, more-than 6,000 people attended Momofuku Ando’s funeral last year to celebrate his life. That’s quite an influence from a Noodle-inventor, I’d say!

He was quite famous for a collection of common-sayings, too:

“When you enter a market, do it slowly. When you withdraw, do it quickly.”
“Flavors taste best to those who appreciate them”
“Mankind is Noodlekind.”