Borden, Gail, Jr. (1801-1874), an American inventor, developed the first successful condensed milk . His company, known for its “Elsie the Cow” trademark, became a national dairy industry leader.
Borden was born Nov. 9, 1801, in Norwich, New York. In the mid-1830’s, Borden, a farmer and surveyor, drew the first topographical (land feature) map of Texas. He laid out city plans for Houston and Galveston . He also published an influential newspaper that documented Texas’s struggle for independence from Mexico.
Borden pursued a number of inventions . One of them was a mobile beach bathhouse. Another was an unsuccessful land and sea vehicle. By 1849, Borden developed cakes made of dehydrated meat, which proved unpopular with consumers. Failed marketing efforts ruined Borden financially.
In the 1800’s, homes had no refrigerators, so milk spoiled quickly in the summer. Newspapers at the time also shocked consumers with stories of contaminated whole milk. In 1856, Borden patented a process for boiling milk in vacuum pans. The process retained the milk’s nutrients while greatly reducing its volume. Borden sweetened the condensed milk with sugar. The condensed milk could be safely stored without refrigeration and shipped long distances. Borden also processed the milk under strict rules for cleanliness and advertised its purity.
During the American Civil War (1861-1865), the Union Army placed large orders for condensed milk for soldiers and hospitals. Borden’s main factory produced 5,000 gallons (19,000 liters) daily. After the war, demand continued to grow. Borden expanded production and became wealthy. He died Jan. 11, 1874, in Borden, Texas, a town he established and supported.
See also Evaporated milk .
