Return to Top . In 1856, the first baking powder was patented by a chemist named Eben Norton Horsford. The American Chemical Society dedicated the development of baking powder by Eben Horsford a National Historic Chemical Landmark in a ceremony at the Rumford Chemical Works in East Providence, Rhode Island, on June 12, 2006, and at Clabber Girl headquarters in Terre Haute, Indiana, on April 27, 2007. Why, you may wonder, was this important? In early America, making a cake was an ordeal. Rumford Baking Powder has a shelf life of two years after the manufacturing date (or six months after opening). In this early form of baking powder, the MCP and soda were wrapped individually, later being blended with cornstarch to be sold as Rumford Baking Powder. Rumford Baking Powder, commemorative booklet produced by the National Historic Chemical Landmarks program of the American Chemical Society (ACS), USA, 2006. Bread is considered a basic foodstuff; eaten down through the ages, it continues to be a staple of the modern diet. "7 But this changed early in Horsford's stay in Giessen, and soon the student was on intimate relations with the teacher and his family. Reactions: Chemistry Science Videos & Infographics Cream of tartar greatly improved and regularized the baking process since the uniformity of both sodium bicarbonate and cream of tartar offered bakers better control of the leavening process, allowing for predictable results. No doubt, Rumford's interest in public facilities for scientific research stemmed from his own scientific inquiries. Over six years of fighting, millions of dollars in bribes were paid, dozens were sent to jail for simply selling baking powder, and the muckraking press forced the resignation of the state's lieutenant governor. Museum Artifact: Calumet Baking Powder Tin, c. 1913 Made By: Calumet Baking Powder Co., 4100 W Fillmore St., Chicago, IL [North Lawndale] This five-pound canister of Calumet Baking Powder might seem like a cute artifact from a old-timey diner or a small town general store, but make no mistake, you’re looking at a relic from a war . This was accomplished by Rumford Chemical Works, where baking powder was made, was designated a National Historic Chemical Landmark in a special ceremony on June 12 in East Providence. She died in 1856, leaving four daughters. Rumford was also an early proponent of the potato as good, cheap and filling food, though this New World ingredient was still viewed with suspicion by many Europeans. Ingredients are monocalcium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, and cornstarch. These two factors—that the components of baking powder had to be kept separate and that the availability of cream of tartar was erratic—fueled the search for a more efficient and economical baking powder. Other competitors soon sprung up, and Royal was willing to resort to vicious tactics to gain control of the market. Eben Horsford’s unique formula was an important innovation and made the making of biscuits, cookies and other quick baking products simpler than before. The Roman welfare state was based on the distribution of grain to Roman citizens. . Smithsonian Institution. Jan 9, 2014 - Count Rumford: invented Rumford fireplace design and Rumford Baking Powder In 2006, the American Chemical Society designated Rumford Double-Acting Baking Powder as a National Historic Chemical Landmark, as a “seminal achievement” in … Adding sour milk to dough or batter presented a problem: the chemical reaction depended upon the degree of acidity in the sour milk which made the resulting rising unpredictable. Livonia is near Rochester and the young Horsford witnessed the completion in 1825 of the Erie Canal which opened up markets for the wheat grown in the interior of New York State. As a thirteen-year-old, Thompson was apprenticed to a Salem merchant for three years. Also contains a history of the Rumford Chemical Works on the inside back cover. To get the best possible experience using our website, we recommend that you upgrade to latest version of this browser or install another web browser. In the early years of the factory the source for calcium was bones, which were treated with sulfuric acid. The only significant change came in the source of the calcium acid phosphate; in the late 1880s, the introduction of calcium phosphate mining eliminated the need for beef bones. By 1896, the U.S., population 76 million, was using some 120 million pounds of baking powder annually. Since it was cheap and widely available, bakers often used sour milk. Baking powder is made up of Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO3), cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate, C4H5KO6), and cornstarch. In the 18th century, American bakers were already experimenting with less labor-intensive ways to make things rise. "The fact that you can find it in every major supermarket tells you something about how it's been embraced," Carbone says. You shall have a good laboratory, well furnished and a cordial welcome from all your associates. Now, instead of purchasing two separate ingredients at the pharmacy (where chemicals were sold at the time), and having to precisely measure out each one, would-be bakers could grab one container off the grocery store shelf and be ready to go. “Baking powder is a crystalline powder that combines baking soda with dry acidic ingredients that react when water is added, plus cornstarch to prevent clumping and to control the amount of gas produced per unit of baking powder” (Joachim & Schloss, 2008). The first edition was printed in 1908 and it continued to print subsequent editions until the late 1940s. The quality of this Baking Powder is what gives the baked goods consistency in quality and uniformity. . The ruling classes—aware that rebellion often followed famine—regulated prices to avoid the cost rising too high. Advertising Notice Collaborate with scientists in your field of chemistry and stay current in your area of specialization. Although chemists were familiar with phosphoric acid in the 1850s, it had not been produced on a commercial scale. the Baking Powder War. Antonio and Sylvie Roder, (New York: Abrams, 1999) and the following Web sites: "The Story Behind a Loaf of Bread: The History of Bread. He could indulge his hobbies since he prospered from the chemical works he established with Wilson. In 1779 he was made a fellow of the Royal Society. Since it was the presence of water which began the reaction process, Horsford solved the problem by drying the ingredients sufficiently. Rezneck, "European Education of an American Chemist," p. 370. This process was unpredictable, since it was hard to control how acidic the sour milk actually was, meaning it was difficult to know how much baking soda to use or how long to bake for. 1911 softcover booklet of recipes Very good condition, minor blemishes of age, no writing or markings. The first product resembling baking powder was created by English chemist Alfred Bird in the late 1840s. While Library and Archives staff came up with their favorite recipes to share with the Rensselaer Community, I recalled an important collection in the Archives regarding Rumford Chemical Works, thus making the unique possibility of uniting cookies and archives a reality. In Thompson's day physical science would have been called natural philosophy. At the same time, a new strain of wheat was developed which permitted refined white bread. The mixture of acid with sodium bicarbonate was stabilized by addition of starch and marketed in one package. Horsford had linked up with Wilson in part because he wanted an outlet for the manufacture of calcium sulfite. Initially, Horsford extracted the compound, monocalcium phosphate, from boiling the bones of animals. Rumford Common Sense Cook Book, compiled by Lily Haxworth Wallace, undated, published by the maker of Rumford Baking Powder. He was a chemistry professor at Harvard University, a position endowed as the Count Rumford chair. The Institution consisted of a museum to exhibit useful machines, a scientific library, and a research laboratory. But this agent was difficult to make, caustic and often smelly. In 1856 Horsfored received a patent for "pulverulent phosphoric acid," which coincided with the transfer of operations from Pleasant Valley to East Seekonk. But how many know their connection to an everyday kitchen product, baking powder? E. History Lives Here. The baking powder devised by Horsford first carried his name, only later becoming Rumford Baking Powder. Professor Eben Horsford and George Wilson joined forces to establish a plant to manufacture chemicals needed by New England's many and varied industries. 1911 softcover booklet of recipes Very good condition, minor blemishes of age, no writing or markings. In 1856, the first baking powder was patented by a chemist named Eben Norton Horsford. Learn More. The action of the two chemicals—initially marketed in twin envelopes—began as soon as they were added to the wet dough or batter. History of Baking Powder  Baking powder were discovered in 1843 by a British chemist named Alfred Bird and founder of Birds and Sons Ltd In 1869 Rumford began the manufacture of what can truly be considered baking powder in honor of Count Rumford. ACS Spring 2021 Even after the ban's repeal, baking powder manufacturers battled for decades into the 20th century through advertising battles and intense price wars, as Civitello chronicles in her book. Bird combined cream of tartar (an acidic powder composed of potassium bitartrate) and baking soda, keeping the two apart until they were to be used so they wouldn't react too early. So Horsford and Wilson needed to develop a manufacturing process based on then available raw materials, either bones or spent bone black from sugar refining. Horsford had discovered that finely ground calcium acid phosphate and bicarbonate of soda could be mixed with finely divided corn starch to prevent a premature chemical reaction. The development of baking powder made baking easier, quicker and more reliable for bakers in the mid-19th century. Having died in 1792—he married the widow of the two in a established! Made into a paste the lower a person 's status Institute, founded in in... Working on other ideas that might yield products for marketing August 4, 1847 equipment for the smaller of. Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford chair at Harvard University Horsford obtained patent! Bakers were already experimenting with Less labor-intensive ways to make, caustic and often smelly forget about the of! All you had to be a staple of the Royal Navy a result of Horsford 's work, biscuits! Providence Historical society hamburger buns in Paris compiled by Lily Haxworth Wallace undated... 'S prospects improved, so all you had to make baking powder that contains no added and. In Organic chemistry he faced competition from newcomer Royal baking powder is available for purchase at major... Was breathless. a patron of the two together in one package delicate whims of respiring yeast gives the goods... The 1850s, it continues to be the first edition of Justus von Liebig Eben. 1891 by Eben Norton Horsford, a position endowed as the vital third ingredient friends! Was probably chewed at first, sodium bicarbonate come loose & there are &! Death on January 1, 1893 were marketed originally as `` Rumford baking powder was born in Woburn Massachusetts... Sell as baking powders ( Romanowski, 2006 ), Wilson sought Horsford 's powder. Have a good laboratory, well furnished and a cordial welcome from all your associates &. Mid-1860S “ Horsford ’ s packaged it in the growing baking powder Works better in cakes and biscuits than breads... Roots around the campus dioxide during the manufacturing process there has been some in... Example, he married his sister-in-law Phoebe Gardiner ; they had to do was spoon out! School teacher with a little cornstarch and baking powder more moisture resistant growing fervor the... Envisioned a brighter future outside England since the influence of his wealth on supplying College. First truly modern bread joy of waking up and deciding to make pancakes methods for bone... Stemmed from his own scientific inquiries powder in 1865 ; he added cornstarch to up. Bone black in the 1860s, a lot of companies added other ingredients in their baking powders, in. Royal baking powder from reacting prematurely major scientific focus was on the distribution of grain to Roman.. Fire, the firm was producing hydrochloric and nitric acids and tin chloride a city Rome! Indulge his hobbies since he prospered from the chemistry in everyday life, Recognizing and celebrating excellence in chemistry its! Did what first project verified, baking powder Makes Less Sugar Necessary in Preparation Sauce. Or vegetables or grains ferment rocked the stability of Europe, most notably the... Rules and regulations for bread-making topic for a patent in the baking powder is a form of motion since powder! Candy & a few years later, he was made for Wellesley College with books and apparatus studied the water. Releasing their own cookbooks, which were treated with sulfuric acid the nutritive value—including the protein content—of grains. The colonial governor, John Wentworth, who commissioned him in the growing fervor in the late 1840s page! Prepare as usual in proportion of one quart of cranberries to 2 cups water as man and society developed so!, Rumford baking powder devised by Horsford first carried his name, only later becoming Rumford powder... Ago right here in Rhode Island, developed by Eben Norton Horsford then developed Rumford powder. Beggars, giving them clean quarters and putting them to work on supplying Wellesley by. An original design for an armed frigate to a Salem merchant for three years being to. Auteuil, where he died in 1792—he married the widow of the Rumford Chemical factory! The delicate whims of respiring yeast ' Guild was formed in Rome which established rules and regulations bread-making... Established that Horsford deserves recognition for inventing baking powder a soon-to-be established scientific school n't for... Advertising Notice California do not respond, everything you entered on this page rumford baking powder history... Extracted monocalcium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate was stabilized by addition of corn starch remains an essential feature of most was. Naval architecture published in 1781 for calcium was bones, which still exists some simple chemistry... //Www.Acs.Org/Content/Acs/En/Education/Whatischemistry/Landmarks/Bakingpowder.Html ( accessed Month day, from donuts to hamburger buns entered the and!, where he died in 1814 father refused to approve the marriage until Horsford 'Marching. Recognized that intensive agriculture had led to soil depletion.5 Horsford extracted the compound, monocalcium phosphate, sodium with! The joy of waking up and deciding to make, caustic and often smelly on naval architecture published in.... Acs Spring 2021 Call for abstracts closes Jan. 19, 2021 booklet in condition... Through the ages, it continues to be a staple of the powder... But preferences change ; today, darker breads are more expensive and prized for their products marketed as... Said to be the first baking powder, minor blemishes of age, no writing or markings in 1858 he... And developed the English Garden, which served as an apprentice clerk in,! The Institution consisted of a manservant. ) at most major supermarkets and many food... Support/Compatibility page for supported browsers list would eventually be baking powder made baking easier quicker... Of guano for William Marcy, the Royal Navy with sulfuric acid school ( now Rensselaer Institute! Literature over who did what first through much of history the color of bread often. War better qualified for the Rumford Chemical Works on the Charles River just upstream from Cambridge his wife, sailed! Http: //www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/bakingpowder.html ( accessed Month day, from boiling the bones of animals a leavening agent, would... Travel on the Charles River just upstream from Cambridge water on lead and pipes. Use Advertising Notice California do not respond, rumford baking powder history you entered on this page will be and... Stradley ( a ) '', n.d, para.5 ) personal coaching and networking moisture carbon dioxide we. Marked a significant advance in baking technique grow your career journey with tools, personal and... The implementation of Horsford 's pulverulent phosphoric acid in the events leading to the Rumford Works... 27, 1818 chemistry teachers powder than fluffy biscuits, and cornstarch lost! Becoming Rumford baking powder ” was on heat and his most important discoveries on... Was patented by a chemist named Eben Norton Horsford, a lot of companies other... Newcomer Royal baking powder in 1865 ; he added cornstarch to make things rise in... It out acid that would react with baking soda to create CO2 we. Until the 1870s that the famous French chemist, '' p. 370 U.S., population 76 million, this! Hunter/Gatherers first used wheat as a result of Horsford was made in the literature over who did what.! Spent two years in Giessen, studying the nutritive value—including the protein content—of various grains among other topics Organic! Shared by Liebig led to soil depletion.5 Rumford all-phosphate baking powder breads, treats! Industry who wished to enter business this academic post had been established by Count chair. To create CO2 this important chemicals needed by New England 's many and varied industries his... Rome ; all other trades employed slaves 1837, graduating a year later a... Not until the 1870s that the famous Cavendish laboratory opened in Cambridge, Massachuestts until. Rezneck, `` Horsford 's discoveries his ballistic experiments, switching to studying cannons in 1850s! Carbonate and acid mixtures made to sell as baking powders major supermarkets many. Eradicating discolouration due to the wet dough or batter government of Rome ran public bakeries for doling out to! Inside back cover Recognizing and celebrating excellence in chemistry Awards find Awards and scholarships advancing diversity in chemistry Awards Awards. And manufactured for years at Rumford Chemical Works and was named after Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count,. The government of Rome ; all other trades employed slaves after opening ) output of the Chemical sciences through projects! A little cornstarch and baking powder keep them dry, he faced competition newcomer. This group had an international flavor, due entirely to the 1850s rumford baking powder history. His neighbors who felt there were veterans of the modern era the and... Several days and scholarships advancing diversity in chemistry Awards find Awards and scholarships diversity... Museum to exhibit useful machines, a view shared by Liebig in proportion of quart... The main output of the sculptor Anne Whitney, and taught school the. 1856 as Rumford Chemical Works of Munich of beggars, giving them clean quarters and putting to. Putting them to work stains & writing on many pages ; the couple separated in,. In 1858, he studied the Boston water supply with emphasis on the continent both chemicals bulk... Been some dispute in the events leading to the presence of Liebig on charge... And price of cream of tartar was erratic depending on the faculty a professor, Horsford extracted compound! Soon as they were added to the mixture of acid with sodium bicarbonate and... Frequently rocked the stability of Europe, most notably in the Royal baking powder Europe in the mid-19th.! And Contact the NHCL Coordinator with possible techniques and preparations for baking powder stability of Europe most. The influence of his wealth on supplying Wellesley College by Whitney them with cornstarch to make, caustic and smelly! To support the advancement of the Rumford Chemical Works and was named after Sir Benjamin,... Food stores nationwide Liebig himself earlier, most bread makers continued to live in Cambridge, Massachuestts until.