For people who like to dabble in food preservation , Mason shock can be priceless . The wooden-headed Methedrine jars create a taut stamp using a unique screw top hat design . fare in various size and even a wide - mouth adaptation , they solve a lot of food storage subject .
As you ’ve plausibly already guess , the jar wasnamedafter a person named Mason . Who was he ? Why did he take such an pursuit in jars ? And why do n’t we know more about him ?
John Landis Mason was born on January 1 , 1832 . The New Jersey native ’s greatinventioncame in 1858 , when the tinsmithdevelopeda glassful jar that could be effectively seal , protecting pressure - canned perishable that were heat to put down bacteria and then secured in an airtight container .
While this might seem obvious , previousattempts at heat - sealed solid food repositing were discrepant . nursing bottle were often sealed with some combination of cork and wax , and the dark containers did n’t allow for any visibility . The bottle may have been pickle , or tomato . Previous jars did n’t have an airtight jacket , either . Mason devised and patent a purpose with a weave neck and threaded metallic element roof with a natural rubber seal that kept message from spoiling .
Mason ’s jar had another benefit , too . It was clear , which allowed for people to see the contents .
The jars quickly becharm on with food preservation hobbyists , as well as farmers and people who might reap food one season and require to keep it for the next .
The need for Mason jar start to dwindle in the twentieth century , when commercial freezers and expanded transportation systems made food storage soft . The jars remain democratic for people looking for alternatives to depot - buy food for thought and disposable promotional material . The Ball Brothers Manufacturing Companyhelpedmake the Mason jars domesticated staple , fill up shelves with canned goods .
Today , Mason jars are still mass - produced , and originals are collectable , with time value often assign accord to the semitransparent color of the jounce . Cobalt blasphemous Masons can bring thousands of dollars . But misfortunate Mason , who perish in 1902 , see his patent croak in 1879 and never really made any money from his innovation .
[ h / tSouth Florida Reporter ]
