The dairy industry is the most important agricultural sector in the state of New York. Furthermore, it provides significant revenues and contributes greatly to the state economy. New York City has about 4,000 dairy farms that produce more than 15 billion pounds of milk each year. As a result, New York has become the fourth-largest state in the country for dairy production. At the same time, the city has America’s most competitive dairy market. In the 20th century, there was a true battle between competing dairy corporations in the US State. Sheffield Farms, Borden Condensed Milk Company and US Dairy Products Company grabbed the market lead, eventually becoming the kings of milk in New York.
The Borden Company was the most well-known among them. The company was founded by Gail Borden, an American entrepreneur and inventor from Norwich, New York. He was the first person to produce condensed milk, which became the primary source of energy for thousands of Union soldiers during the Civil War. It also provided healthy nutrition for infants and children. Gail Borden was a driving force behind the revolutionary process in the food industry.
Read an intriguing and fascinating story about the invention of everyone’s favorite childhood dessert, condensed milk, at newyork1.one.
Gail Borden, a remarkable inventor, teacher and land surveyor
Gail Borden, the founder of the Borden Company, was born in 1801. He was an American innovator whose life was filled with interesting and often challenging events. Throughout his life, Gail Borden worked as a teacher, farmer, businessman, surveyor, newspaper publisher, politician and most importantly, inventor. The active man spent most of his life traveling and working various jobs. Despite the obstacles and failures he faced along the way, Gail Borden changed the food industry forever.
The American was the first to create an effective commercial method for condensing milk. He is also credited with inventing a trolley with a sailing engine, as well as the well-known organizer, the Lazy Susan. Additionally, Gail Borden created dried meat cookies, which were intended to become a staple food for long-distance travel. However, the taste of cookies was not the best, therefore there were no fans of these products among the public. However, Borden’s discovery was recognized as a breakthrough in the food industry. The inventor was awarded the Great Council Medal by Queen Victoria in London in 1851. On his way home, Gail Borden witnessed a very unpleasant situation on board the ship. Several children died from drinking contaminated milk. This presented a new challenge to the ardent inventor.
Condensed milk invented by Gail Borden
For many years, Borden was actively experimenting. The key challenge was to keep the milk free of impurities while retaining its natural flavor. Such experiments continued for a long time, enduring setbacks and significant debt.
After numerous attempts, the American discovered he could prevent milk from going sour by evaporating it over low heat in a vacuum. Gail Borden believed that by doing so, milk becomes resistant to spoilage since water has evaporated in it. He called his revolutionary product “condensed milk”. However, as French microbiologist and chemist Louis Pasteur studied and discovered later, it was the heat utilized in Borden’s evaporation technique that protected the milk from spoiling. In other words, the bacteria in fresh milk were entirely eliminated by this process.
Gail Borden and his efforts to patent his invention
Borden intended to quickly start mass production of his new product but faced red tape at the United States Patent Office. For three long years, the agency refused to approve the patent, citing a lack of innovation. However, later Gail Borden finally managed to prove the validity of his method, and in 1856 received a patent for Improvements in Condensing Milk. Furthermore, the inventor patented the invention in both the United States and England.
Dairies, financial problems and partnership
After receiving his patent, Gail Borden soon began opening dairies. Following some initial financial challenges, Borden began looking for partners to help produce and promote his new product. Life brought him together with a wholesale grocer and banker Jeremiah Milbank. They co-founded the New York Condensed Milk Company. In 1861, they opened their first successful factory in Wassaic, New York. The company soon began shipping condensed milk to New York and New Jersey.
The outbreak of the Civil War created a great demand for condensed milk, and sales soared. In 1861, the United States government bought 500 pounds of condensed milk to feed Union soldiers. At the same time, demand from other segments of the population for this “safe milk” surged, prompting the construction of new factories. The first factories, however, were inefficient. To meet the demands of the Union Army, Borden granted other dairy companies permission to use his patent and trademark.
Two years later, the partners were able to open the “perfect factory” in Brewster, New York County. The area was convenient for day-to-day production and offered a four-hour rail connection to New York City. The plant manufactured Borden’s condensed milk and Eagle Brand milk. The manufacturing facility was a huge success and served as a firm foundation for the development of the entire company.
Following Gail Borden’s death in 1874, the New York Condensed Milk Company continued to produce new products. In 1885, the company was the first to use glass milk bottles.
In early 1919, The New York Condensed Milk Company changed its name to Borden Company in honor of its founder. The company began to expand rapidly, acquiring two of the top ice cream producers in the United States. By the late 1930s, the Borden Company had acquired more than 200 enterprises in the United States, making it the country’s largest distributor of liquid milk.
Elsie the Cow, an iconic symbol
In 1936, Elsie the Cow became the mascot of the Borden brand. It was a successful marketing approach that not only drew attention but also captivated the public. Elsie the Cow became an American advertising icon, bringing Borden the nationwide recognition and love of millions of Americans.
It’s been almost a century since Elsie’s “triumph,” but this positive character remains one of America’s most beloved advertising mascots.
In the late 1980s, Borden Company became the world’s largest dairy operator with revenues reaching 7.2 billion dollars. However, in the early 1990s, the company’s net profit decreased, forcing the closure of several departments. In 1995, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) acquired Borden for 2 billion dollars and closed the company after 68 years of its operation.
Borden Dairy, carrying on the legacy of Gail Borden
In the 2000s, Borden Inc. went through a number of reorganizations. In 2009, Grupo Lala acquired the dairy business of National Dairy LLC, establishing its operations in the United States under the name Borden Dairy. Thus, they once again honored the priceless legacy that Gail Borden left behind. The company actively continues its long-standing tradition of giving citizens the most delicious dairy products, which millions of Americans enjoy with pleasure.