The History of the Majestic Jar Named Mason
Believe it or not, Mason jars have been around for over a century. In recent years, the infamous jar has made a resurgence almost everywhere imaginable - and I mean everywhere. You can find them at restaurants, grocery stores, bars, weddings, in your kitchen cabinets, and more. Why? They’re so versatile! They hold everything from food and cocktails to plants and toothbrushes.
How did this jar get so popular though?
Let’s go back in time and take a little history lesson.
Jars were meant for canning and food preservation. According to Walls with Stories, before the Mason jar came along, people used glass jars with wax seals that proved to be finicky and ineffective. This method was difficult to understand which made it vulnerable for mistakes... Mistakes that lead bacteria growth in food. That’s where John Landis Mason comes in!
Photo Credit: www.experiment.com
Mason patented his revolutionary design in 1858 with a clear glass jar and a one-piece screw-on lid with a rubber ring. This made it easy to see the contents inside while being able to open and close the jar without difficulty. Who would’ve thought going from opaque to clear glass would create such a buzz?
Photo Credit: www.wikitree.com
In 1879, the original patent expired which meant Mason’s design was up for grabs for anyone to fiddle with. Soon enough came Alexander Kerr in 1915 with an improvement to the design that is still being used to this very day - the two piece lid system that creates an air-tight seal.
Despite the popularity of the jar, that sad truth is that Mr. Mason did not become a wealthy figure in his lifetime. His design took off after he died, but has left us with something that just might be around forever.
Today, these jars seem to be perfect for almost anything. They’re reusable, long-lasting, great for projects and aesthetically pleasing. Don’t forget, we take back empty jars from subscribers. Or, check out 50+ crazy yet clever ways on how you can reuse your jars here! Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Share these interesting jar facts with your friends and loved ones. We'd also love to hear your thoughts below in the comments. It’s not hard to see why people want to come up with ingenious ways to use Mason jars.
