
The William Underwood Company has a rich history that spans over a century, and its legacy in canned foods is truly impressive. Founded in 1822, the company has been a leading manufacturer of canned goods for over 190 years.
The company's early success can be attributed to its innovative approach to food preservation, which allowed it to supply canned goods to the U.S. military during the Civil War. This marked a significant milestone in the company's history.
Today, the William Underwood Company is still a prominent player in the canned food industry, with a wide range of products that cater to diverse consumer needs. Its commitment to quality and innovation has enabled it to maintain its position as a trusted brand.
History and Founding
The William Underwood Company has a rich history that dates back to 1822 when it was founded by William Underwood in Boston, Massachusetts.
William Underwood started his company as a condiment company using glass packing techniques, producing items like mustard, ketchup, pickled vegetables, and cranberries.
By 1836, the company shifted its packing from glass to steel cans coated with tin on the inside due to high demand that glassmakers in the Boston area couldn't keep up with.
Underwood's canned foods proved valuable to settlers during the Manifest Destiny period of 1840-60, providing them with a reliable source of food.
The company's products also played a significant role in the American Civil War, as Underwood sold numerous canned foods to Union troops.
William Underwood died in 1864, but his son, William James Underwood, took over the business and continued to innovate with new retort technology.
The company's work in food science and technology led to the development of new products, including seafood items like lobster, oyster, and mackerel.
The William Underwood Company's contributions to food science were recognized through the creation of the Underwood Prescott Memorial Lectureship, which ran until 1982, and the Underwood Professorship at MIT, established in 1969.
Deviled Ham
The William Underwood Company is famous for its deviled ham, a product that's been around since 1868. It was created as a mixture of ground ham with various seasonings.
Deviled ham is made by adding spices like hot sauce, cayenne pepper, Dijon mustard, or chopped chili peppers to the ham mixture. This process is called "deviling."
The devil logo, trademarked in 1870, is the oldest food trademark still in use in the United States. It's been updated over the years, with the original version featuring a demonic figure that has since evolved into a friendlier version.
The older version of the logo, used during the first half of the 20th century, can be seen in old magazine advertisements. It lacks the pitchfork and smile of the modern version but has long fingernails and a barbed tail in the shape of the letter W.
Other companies have made deviled ham products, including Armour and Company and Libby's, which entered the market in 1900. In 1906, the Massachusetts Board of Health banned all deviled meats, except Underwood's, from sale in Massachusetts.
Suggestion: English Version of Pound
Here are some key dates in the history of deviled ham:
- 1868: Underwood first canned deviled ham.
- 1870: The devil logo was trademarked.
- 1895: The red devil logo debuted.
- 1900: Libby's entered the market with its own deviled ham product.
- 1906: The Massachusetts Board of Health banned all deviled meats, except Underwood's, from sale in Massachusetts.
Sale of PET
The William Underwood Company was sold to PET in 1982. This marked a significant change in the company's ownership and operations.
The sale included B&M Foods, which was closed in Westwood, Massachusetts, as a result. The Underwood headquarters building in Westwood, Massachusetts, was also closed.
Thirteen years after the sale, the Pillsbury Company acquired PET Inc. in 1995. They began a modernization process that included warehousing, production, and processing.
In 1999, B&G Foods of New York, New York, acquired the Underwood foods business. This included the line of Underwood's canned meat spreads, sardines, B&M products, and Ac'cent flavor enhancer.
For another approach, see: Is Rent Included in Debt to Income Ratio
Canned Foods
The William Underwood Company was founded in 1822 in Boston, Massachusetts, as a condiment company using glass packing techniques. They initially focused on mustard, ketchup, pickled vegetables, and cranberries.
The company shifted from glass to steel cans in 1836 due to the inability of Boston glassmakers to meet demand. This innovation allowed them to ship their products to South America, the West Indies, and Asia.
Underwood's canned foods proved valuable to settlers during the Manifest Destiny period of 1840-60. The company's products were also sold to Union troops during the American Civil War of 1861-65.
Here are some key milestones in the company's history:
The company's innovation and adaptability allowed it to thrive in the early years of the American food industry.
Americans Late on Canned Foods
Americans were slow to embrace canned foods, and it's easy to see why. Young William Underwood's business started slowly in 1820 because he couldn't give away canned foods to the suspicious U.S. consumer.
The first canned foods sold by Underwood were fruit and berries, which he shipped to foreign markets. He began substituting tin for glass in 1839, which made his products cheaper to produce.
Underwood's experience with condiments and meat combined to create Underwood Deviled Ham in 1868. Its ingredients include mustard, spices, and turmeric.
The company's canned foods proved valuable to settlers during the Manifest Destiny period of 1840–60. They also sold canned foods to Union troops during the American Civil War of 1861–65.
Recommended read: Pokemon Go Sold to Scopely
Underwood's son, William James Underwood, headed the business after his father's death in 1864. He developed new retort technology that improved the canning process.
The William Underwood Company standardized the use of the word "can" instead of "tin canister" in 1836. This change made it easier to communicate with customers and suppliers.
Underwood's canned foods were so popular that they were even banned in some areas due to concerns about deviled meats. However, the Massachusetts Board of Health allowed Underwood's deviled ham to be sold in Massachusetts in 1906.
Canned Foods
Canned foods have a rich history, and it's fascinating to learn about the pioneers who helped make them a staple in our diets. William Underwood Company of Boston was established in 1822 by William Underwood as a condiment company using glass packing techniques.
The company started by producing condiments like mustard, ketchup, and pickled vegetables, but soon shifted to steel cans in 1836 due to high demand. Glassmakers in the Boston area couldn't keep up with production, so Underwood made the switch to tin-coated steel cans.
Underwood's canned foods proved valuable to settlers during the Manifest Destiny period of 1840-60, and later to Union troops during the American Civil War. The company's products included seafood like lobster, oyster, and mackerel, which were canned for the first time.
Underwood's innovations in canning technology led to the creation of new products, such as sardines, which were first canned in 1880 at the company's factory in Jonesport, Maine. The factory became one of the largest sardine factories in the world.
Here's a brief timeline of the company's major milestones:
Underwood's commitment to innovation and quality led to the creation of the Underwood Professorship at MIT, which has been held by notable food scientists since its inception.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Underwood sardines?
Underwood sardines were discontinued years ago. The complete line of Underwood sardines is no longer in production.
Featured Images: pexels.com


