Source: “Collie’s Special Delivery” (1916) by Dr. E. W. Smith. Credit: Library of Congress, public domain.
In 1898, the ambitious Adolphus Green cofounded the National Biscuit Company. He had a vision to rid the world of disgusting cracker barrels.[2]
Before Uneeda Biscuits, you would have to reach into a community-manhandled barrel of crackers. If you were lucky you got some off the top – still fresh and delicious. If you weren’t, you got mushy bits at the bottom. Apparently, like most people, Adolphus Green did not like soggy contaminated food. He helped patent the “In-Er-Seal” technology! [1]
Now your favorite delicious flaky snack was wrapped in wax paper and placed in cardboard. Fresh, dry, and endorsed by a sunglassed dog. Uneeda Biscuits had such innovative packaging that it changed the food industry. It inspired other companies to deliver nicely protected food packs to stores for consumers rather than troublesome bulk free-for-all bundles. This made the food quality higher and the products easier to transport! [3]
So, what seemed like a silly cute dog photo was the harbinger of doom for cracker barrels worldwide. Nice.
[1] American Profile (1982) by Edward Wagenknecht