Zac++Hill

John Landis Mason 1832-1902

INVENTION: MASON JAR DATE INVENTED: 1858

The invention of the mason jar, while not as glamorous as other inventions, definitely had quite an impact on the people living in the latter half of the 19th century. Before this type of closure on canning jars, people used wax, which was messy and ineffective, causing lots of food to go bad and people to get sick. The reusable system Mason patented on November 30th 1858 made it much easier for more people to enjoy a greater variety of foods throughout the winter, and have a surplus that could be traded with neighbors for even more variety. The date of the patent was put on many jars up until the 1920’s, some of which survive even today. At the age of 26, John Landis Mason had the idea of using a rubber ring as a seal on the lid instead of the old wax method. Although his invention later became a massive success, it was not until after his patent had expired. While others profited greatly from his idea, he died a poor man in 1902.

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