When Did Ball Make Square Jars?

Ball Corporation, known today for its food and beverage packaging products such as Ball Mason jars and lids, has a long history dating back to the 1880s. The company was founded in Muncie, Indiana in 1880 by five brothers with a loan of $200 from their uncle George [1]. Originally known as the Wooden Jacket Can Company, the brothers started out making wooden jackets to insulate glass containers for items like kerosene and fruit. Around 1886, the brothers began making their own glass canning jars and changed the company’s name to Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company [2]. They started producing the iconic Ball Mason jars in the late 1800s which became very popular for home canning of fruits, vegetables and other foods.

The Rise of Canning

Canning became popular in the early 1900s as a way to preserve food. The process of canning food involves placing cooked food in sealed jars or cans to prevent spoilage. As early as the 1810s, the French confectioner Nicolas Appert developed a method of preserving food by cooking it in sealed glass jars (1). However, glass jars for canning only became widely available in the United States in the early 1900s. By this time, urban populations were rapidly increasing, and the ability to preserve and transport food became very important. Canning enabled people to preserve summer produce like fruits and vegetables for consumption during the winter months. The Ball brothers capitalized on the popularity of home canning in the early 20th century by producing canning jars with unique, patented designs.

(1) https://www.foodingredientfacts.org/apperttotheballbrothers/

Ball’s Early Jar Designs

When the Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company was founded in Buffalo, New York in 1884, they first began producing glass canning jars in the rounded “globe” shape that was common at the time. According to https://www.frenchcreekfarmhouse.com/2018/03/how-to-date-ball-mason-jar.html, some of Ball’s earliest jar designs in the late 1800s and early 1900s included the Perfect Mason, Ideal, and Atlas jars, all with the signature rounded “globe” shape used for canning jars at the time.

The rounded shape provided a classic and versatile design, but it also had some drawbacks. The curvature of the glass made the jars difficult to efficiently stack and transport. Ball sought ways to improve on the basic globe design while still providing a functional form for home canning.

The Square Jar

Ball introduced the square mason jar design during the 1930s. According to https://masonjars.com/history-of-ball-jars-html/, the company first started producing square glass jars around 1932. The square design was patented by Ball and offered an alternative to the traditional round mason jars that were commonly used for home canning at the time.

The square shape allowed the jars to be packed more efficiently into boxes for storage and transport. This helped maximize shipping space and reduced costs. The square design also provided a larger filling area compared to round jars of the same height. However, the reason Ball initially decided to produce the square jars is unknown, as noted by https://www.minnetrista.net/blog/blog/2015/02/26/ball-family-history/ball-jars-and-moonshiners.

The Ball square mason jars were an innovative design that offered functionality and versatility for home canning. The square shape became popular with consumers and was a distinctive Ball product during the 1930s and beyond.

Benefits of the Square Jar

The square design of Ball’s jars offered several advantages over traditional round jars. One of the most notable benefits was that square jars could be stacked and arranged more efficiently, allowing home canners to maximize shelf space. The flat sides and 90-degree angles of the square glass jars meant they could be lined up neatly in rows and columns. This enabled people to store more jars of preserved food in a smaller footprint.

According to JustDial, the space-saving design of square jars makes better use of shelf space compared to round jars. The square shape eliminated wasted “dead space” between jars that occurred when placing round cans on shelves. So a pantry could store significantly more square jars in the same amount of shelf space.

Popularity of the Square Jar

The square Ball jar quickly became the most popular jar design after its introduction in 1933. According to an advertisement from Ball in 1934, “more than three-fourths of all jars in use are branded ‘Ball.'” (https://marker.medium.com/why-everyones-suddenly-hoarding-mason-jars-4fe8cc1e098f) The square design provided several benefits over previous round jar designs, which helped drive its popularity.

The square shape allowed the jars to be stacked and transported more efficiently, saving on storage space and shipping costs. The jars were designed with a wire bail and clamp system that created a better seal than previous designs, keeping food fresher for longer. The measurement markings were etched on the sides, making them easier to read. With their sleek new look and ease of use, the square Ball jars swiftly dominated the home canning market in the 1930s and beyond.

Later Jar Innovations

Over time, Ball introduced new jar shapes and materials to meet changing consumer needs and preferences.

In the 1960s, Ball released the first wide mouth canning jars, making it easier to fill and empty the jars. The wide mouth jars quickly became popular with home canners. In 1962, Ball also introduced the first one-piece, self-sealing metal lid, eliminating the need for a separate rubber ring.

In the 1970s, plastic began replacing glass as the material for some canning jar lids. Ball launched plastic lids in a variety of colors, allowing home canners to color-coordinate their jars. The plastic lids provided a tighter, more reliable seal than earlier metal lids.

In the 1980s, Ball began using harder, less breakable glass for their mason jars. Improvements in glass manufacturing allowed the jars to be more durable while retaining clarity. Stronger glass reduced the risk of breakage and food spoilage.

In the 2000s, decorative jars and lids became popular. Ball introduced jars in a range of colors and patterns, as consumers wanted canning jars to also serve as display pieces. Specialty lids with interlocking designs provided a whimsical touch. While functionality remained important, appearance also became a selling point for new generations of home canners.

Sources:

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/newell-brands-introduces-new-ball-jar-innovations-in-time-for-canning-season-300680712.html

https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/NEWELL-BRANDS-INC-47564184/news/Newell-Brands-Inc-Introduces-New-Ball-Jar-Innovations-in-Time-for-Canning-Season-34645746/

The Square Jar Today

The square Mason jar remains one of Ball’s most popular jar designs today. The classic, square shape is still in production and continues to be used by millions of home canners and DIYers every year.

While the overall shape has stayed the same, Ball has introduced some slight design updates over the years. In the 2000s, for example, Ball began producing the square jar with slightly rounded corners for increased durability. The company has made the lids more user-friendly with innovations like the Sure Tight lids and EZ Seal lids.

The square Mason jars continue to have many of the same benefits that made them popular decades ago. The flat sides allow the jars to be stacked efficiently and sit upright on shelves. The wide mouth openings make them easy to fill, clean, and access the contents. The straight walls maximize interior space compared to curved jars.

Despite some minor tweaks, the fundamental square Mason jar design endures as a canning classic. For home cooks and DIYers, the square jar remains a kitchen staple and a popular choice for preserving fruits, vegetables, jams, soups, and other homemade foods today.

Competitors’ Jar Designs

While Ball dominated the market for mason jars and revolutionized the canning jar shape with their square design, they had plenty of competitors producing their own takes on jar shape and design. Companies like Kerr, Atlas, and Anchor Hocking rolled out iconic jar designs and capitalized on the popularity of home canning and preserving. For example, in 1938 Kerr released the first wide-mouth jar, breaking from the traditional narrow mouth designs. Wide-mouth jars made it easier to fill the jars and remove food. Kerr’s wide-mouth design proved so popular that Ball soon released its own wide-mouth jars.

Another major competitor was Atlas Glass Company, who produced the Atlas E-Z Seal jars starting in the 1930s. These jars had a unique side-sealing lid that created a tight vacuum seal for canning. The E-Z Seal design made the jars popular for canning produce and jams. Anchor Hocking also produced iconic glass jars with a unique closure system. While Ball focused on tradition and simplicity with their mason jar design, competitors brought innovation and alternative shapes and sealing mechanisms.

The Future of Canning Jars

The canning jar industry is projected to continue growing over the next decade. According to a 2023 market research report, the global canning jars market is expected to reach $4.13 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2023-2030 (https://www.astuteanalytica.com/industry-report/canning-jars-market). Key factors driving this growth include rising demand for canned and processed foods, increased home cooking and canning during the pandemic, and innovations in jar design and technology.

Experts predict several key trends will shape the future of canning jars:

• Continued focus on improving freshness and extending shelf life. New lid technologies may better seal jars for longer-term storage.
• More eco-friendly designs and materials such as plant-based plastics. Consumers want sustainable packaging.
• Smart technology integration like food freshness sensors. Jars may monitor food safety and report via mobile apps.
• Creative shapes and decorative styles. Unconventional jars stand out on retail shelves and home canning social media.
• Increased emphasis on versatility. Jars must serve multiple functions from pantry storage to drinking glasses.

As at-home canning and DIY food projects grow, consumers will demand both functional and fashionable jars. Companies will continue innovating with tech-enabled, eco-friendly designs to maintain relevance and sales. The nostalgic Mason jar will likely remain popular, but the future holds exciting new twists on this kitchen classic.