The Fascinating History Behind Campbell's, The Most Iconic Brand To Come Out Of New Jersey
By Kristen|Published June 04, 2020
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Kristen
Author
Kristen is a writer, editor, and social media maven who loves her state. Born and raised in New Jersey, sharing all it has to offer is her passion. After attending Montclair State University, she continued her education online, obtaining certifications in social media management.
A wide variety of popular brands were founded in, are headquartered in, or operate out of New Jersey. Examples include Johnson & Johnson, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and Toys R Us. The most iconic brand to come out of the Garden State has to be the Campbell Soup Company, more commonly known as Campbell’s.
Campbell's was founded in 1869 by Joseph A. Campbell, a fruit merchant from Bridgeton and Abraham Anderson, a businessman and icebox manufacturer from Haddonfield. They sold canned tomatoes, vegetables, jellies, soups, condiments, and minced meats.
In 1897, John T. Dorrance was hired. A brilliant chemist with degrees from MIT and Göttingen University, he developed a commercially viable method for condensing soup. By 1914, he was president of the company and he went on to buy out the Campbell family.
The soup cans were originally blue and orange! Their 1897 redesign was inspired by the bold red of Cornell University's football team uniforms. The design hasn't changed much over the years. It still features a center medallion, modeled after a medal the company received at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle.
By the 1950s, Campbell's was one of the largest food companies in the world. They acquired a variety of brands including Pepperidge Farm, Goldfish, V8, Swanson, Prego, Pop Secret, and Snyder’s of Hanover. They once owned Godiva!
Campbell's has several ties to pop culture. Former president (then a young actor) Ronald Reagan was a spokesman in the 1940s. In the 1980s, the company released limited edition Star Wars cookies in chocolate, peanut butter, and vanilla.
Campbell's products were manufactured in Camden for years. Now, you'll find their global headquarters there. In 2008, the company pledged $10 million to the city's Public Benefit Plan for community improvement.
