First created in Vineland, New Jersey, in 1858, the mason jar was brought into existence by a man by the name of John Landis Mason. Today, the humble mason jar is found throughout fridges, cupboards and lunch bags around the world thanks to its millions of uses. In fact, with so many uses, perhaps the mason jar could stand to be a little less humble. To honor these jars which have served society through the ages, we have put together some facts about the jars we know and love.
Mason jars can not only store and transport food, but they can also act as a cocktail shaker, a cocktail/water glass, table decor, or an airtight vessel for canning/pickling. You can even make butter or whipped cream in a Mason jar.
The Lid Came Before The Jar
John Landis Mason was a tinsmith and developed the famous cap and screw collar lid mechanism before the jar was developed to fit it. He worked tirelessly on this project to find an alternative for the current method at the time for sealing jars which involved a cork sealed with wax, which was not an easy method and was often performed incorrectly. The mason jar improved the ability for Americans to safely preserve their harvest.
The Number On The Bottom Is Not A Date
If you look at the bottom of a vintage mason jar, you will notice a number imprinted in the glass. This indicates the mold number specific to that kind of jar shape as well as the position of the glass on the jar-making machine in the factory. People often confuse this number with the jar’s production date. The best way to date a mason jar is to examine the logo imprinted on the wall of the jar. The Ball logo underwent several changes over the years and by identifying which version of the logo it is you should be able to pinpoint the date in the Ball timeline.
How to Date Mason Old Mason Jars and win a $10 gift card Viewer Challenge!
FAQ
What is the difference between mason jars and regular jars?
What makes mason jars unique?
What’s the point of a Mason jar?
Why are mason jars so popular?
What is a mason jar?
A Mason jar, also known as a canning jar or fruit jar, is a glass jar used in home canning to preserve food. It was named after American tinsmith John Landis Mason, who patented it in 1858. The jar’s mouth has a screw thread on its outer perimeter to accept a metal ring or “band”.
Are mason jars reusable?
Mason jars have a two-part top ― a lid with a rubber ring on the underside, which creates a vacuum seal (which is so integral for safe canning), and an outer band with screw threads that are reusable. The lids can only be used to seal once, but the jars and bands can be reused many times.
What color are mason jars?
Mason jars were manufactured in many different colors, including clear, pale blue, yellow, amber, olive and various other greens. (In the early 1900s, people thought darker glass helped prevent food from spoiling as quickly.) The rarest of the jar colors are green and have been known to fetch upwards of $300 per jar—that’s incredible!
Why are Mr Mason’s jars so popular?
There are a few characteristics in the design of Mr. Mason’s jar that made them so popular. For one, it was the first time bleached glass was used, allowing canners to see what was inside. (This is especially important in determining if canned food is still safe to use for consumption.) And then there’s the most important feature: the top.