It started with a challenge,a call to action...

[Robb]

...from a German language weekly paper in the small town of Highland, Illinois. The paper urged the citizenry to hear out a young Swiss immigrant named John Meyenberg.



He had come to America to sell his idea of canning as a preservative. At a time when there was only primitive refrigeration, and fresh food spoiled quickly, Meyenberg's idea could prove to be a godsend.

Two days after Christmas, a meeting was called at the new city hall. A group of prominent farmers and businessmen heard Meyenberg outline his plans for what he called a "condensary." He spoke fervently of the process and the potential benefits to the community. And he asked for their financial supportÑa $15,000 investment with a promise of a 55 percent profit return the first year....

more...

[democracyindanger]

1. bleccch

my dad tried to get me to drink that when i was a kid. nasty stuff.

[Kenneth ken]

2. really?

huh, I thought it was just for use in cooking, like making fudge or dumplings or slickers and stuff.

[democracyindanger]

3. My dad is cheap

Seriously. I think it made my little bro throw up, so that was the end of that.