The Rise of Industrial Canning in the United States (1850-1930)

1. Underwood launches early U.S. bottling and canning firm

   Jan 1, 1822Labels: William Underwood, Boston firm

   • Oxford Food
   • Underwood Wiki

2. Kensett and Daggett receive tin-can patent

   Jan 19, 1825Labels: Thomas Kensett, Ezra Daggett

   • Natl Archives
   • Kensett Wiki

3. Baltimore becomes a major oyster-canning center

   Jan 1, 1840Labels: Baltimore, Chesapeake Bay

   • NMAH

4. Kensett family begins Baltimore oyster processing

   Jan 1, 1849Labels: Kensett family, Baltimore processing

   • NMAH
   • Natl Archives

5. Gail Borden patents condensed milk process

   Aug 19, 1856Labels: Gail Borden, Condensed milk

   • Lemelson MIT
   • Inventors HOF

6. Warner patents early U.S. can opener

   Jan 5, 1858Labels: Ezra J, Can opener

   • PBS
   • Warner Wiki

7. Civil War drives demand for preserved canned foods

   Apr 12, 1861Labels: American Civil, Military rations

   • Smithsonian
   • Lemelson MIT

8. Platt Company begins large-scale Baltimore oyster canning

   Jan 1, 1865Labels: S B, Baltimore plant

   • SAH Archipedia
   • BMI

9. Baltimore surpasses 100 packing houses

   Jan 1, 1870Labels: Baltimore, Packing houses

   • NMAH

10. Shriver invents steam retort for faster sterilization

    Jan 1, 1874Labels: A K, Steam retort

    • NEH

11. Prescott and Underwood establish scientific canning controls

    Jan 1, 1896Labels: Samuel C, William L

    • MIT News
    • Prescott Wiki

12. American Can Company forms and accelerates consolidation

    Jan 1, 1901Labels: American Can, Can manufacturers

    • American Can
    • Hagley

13. Sanitary can design reduces solder contamination risks

    Jan 1, 1904Labels: Sanitary can, Can design

    • Steel Cans

14. Pure Food and Drug Act reshapes canned-food regulation

    Jun 30, 1906Labels: Pure Food, Federal regulation

    • Britannica

15. National Canners Association forms to coordinate industry

    Jan 1, 1907Labels: National Canners, Trade organization

    • Food Assn

16. Industrial canning becomes a mature national food system

    Jan 1, 1930Labels: Industrial canning, National food

    • MIT News
    • NMAH