Our Story
Campbell’s History
Highlights from over 150 years at your kitchen table.
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We’ve been proudly making food for over 150 years. Our heritage is a testament to the iconic brands and delicious foods that our employees—past and present—created and continue to build upon today. Explore a few milestones along our journey.
1869
Joseph Campbell, a wholesale fruit and vegetable vendor, and Abraham Anderson, a commercial canner and packer, form the firm of Anderson & Campbell in Camden, New Jersey. This would one day become Campbell Soup Company.
1894
Arthur Dorrance succeeds Joseph Campbell as president. Joseph Campbell retires, ending the association of the original founders, with Abraham Anderson having previously left the partnership in 1876.
1895
First jar of ready-to-eat soup, Beefsteak Tomato, is introduced. New Jersey Beefsteak tomatoes had been our signature product for over 25 years, featured prominently on our labels and first trademark.
1897
Dr. John T. Dorrance, Arthur’s nephew,inventsthe process ofcondensing soup, leading to smaller packaging: Cans!The invention makessoups more affordable for families while preserving the quality of the ingredients.
1898
First red & white soup can label debuts after a company executive attends the annual Cornell-Penn football game and is impressed by Cornell’s new red and white uniforms.
1900
The company wins a bronze medal for product excellence at the Paris Exposition. The medallion is added to the can label where it still appears to this day.
1904
Campbell Kids are “born” when a Philadelphia artist, Grace Dayton, sketches them for a series of streetcar advertisem*nts.
Later, the Campbell Kids will be portrayed playing many roles…
…including farmers, army doctors during World War I, and athletes training for the Winter Olympics.
did you know
1905
Our first national ad campaign debuts in magazines like Good Housekeeping.
DID you know
1911
Campbell’s soup achieves national distribution.
1914
Dr. John T. Dorrance, inventor of condensed soup, becomes president of the company. He leads the company until his death in 1930.
1897
When John, born on November 11, 1873, came to Joseph Campbell Preserve Co. at the age of 24 to work as a chemist, he brought with him a Bachelor of Arts from M.I.T. and a doctorate from the University of Göttingen in Germany. John used his academic background to create the process of condensing soups.
1910s & 1920s
Throughout the 1910s and 1920s, John Dorrance and his wife, Ethel, host annual meetings for farmers at their home on Campbell’s research farm in Cinnaminson, New Jersey. Campbell’s in-house agricultural experts would discuss new growing techniques and methods, educating farmers on crop rotation, water savings, seed selection, and how to maximize yields.
1920s
Harry Hall, Chief Agricultural Expert, inspecting tomatoes in his office at Campbell’s research farm in Cinnaminson, New Jersey. With the growing popularity ofCampbell’scondensed soups, John recognized that a stable supply of vegetables was critical to the company’s success.John invested heavily in agricultural research by hiring Harry, whoshared new techniques and methodswithCampbell’s farmers to help increase their yields.
1929
John Dorrance and Chef Louis Charles DeLisle celebrating his Order of Chevalier du Merite (Knight of Merit) award in 1929. In 1902 Chef DeLisle became the first executive chef of Campbell’s. John believed that his condensed soups should be of the highest quality, so he worked closely with Chef DeLisle on refining each soup’s recipe until it met their exacting standards.
1915
We acquire Franco-American Food company, founded in 1886 and makers of condensed soup and canned pasta. This is our first acquisition.
1922
We adopt “Soup” as our middle name, officially becoming Campbell Soup Company.
1931
We begin radio advertising with our iconic “M’m! M’m! Good!” jingle.
1934
We introduce Campbell’s Noodle with Chicken and Cream of Mushroom soups. Noodle with Chicken became Chicken Noodle after a radio announcer misread an ad for the soup and the name stuck.
1941
Campbell Test Kitchens open, with professionally trained home economists developing recipes using condensed soups—many of which wouldbecome classics. Today, you can find many of these recipes (and more that have been added since) online.
1948
We acquire V8, founded in 1933 by W.G. Peaco*ck in Evanston, Illinois. The acquisition includes a manufacturing location based in Napoleon, Ohio, opened in 1938. Today, V8 is the leading vegetable juice in the United States.
1951
Campbell’s first television commercial premieres. The company goes on to sponsor highly-rated shows, including “Lassie” and “Peter Pan.”
1951
Future President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, appears in a V8 ad.
1953
We launch the Campbell Soup Foundation, originally founded as the “Campbell Soup Fund,” which supports organizations driving transformative work in the communities we call home.
1954
Campbell Soup Company goes public on the New York Stock Exchange with the ticker symbol CPB.
1955
Campbell home economist, Dorcas Reilly, creates the iconic Green Bean Casserole recipe. Every Thanksgiving, this recipe is viewed 4 million times on our website. Find more fun facts about our Green Bean Casserole or make the recipe!
1957
We open a new 136,000 sq. ft. corporate headquarters less than a mile from our original location in Camden, New Jersey. This is still our home today.
1961
We acquire Pepperidge Farm, a baked goods company founded by Margaret Rudkin in Fairfield, Connecticut in 1937. Here are a few moments from Pepperidge Farm history, before Maggie joined the Campbell family.
1937
Margaret Rudkin, of Fairfield, Connecticut founds Pepperidge Farm to make the wholesome bread—for her son who suffers from allergies—she can’t find elsewhere on the commercial market.
1940
Pepperidge Farm Stuffing debuts in October—just in time for Thanksgiving!
1950
On September 28th, Pepperidge Farm produces its 100 millionth loaf of bread.
1956
Milano cookies debut as part of a summer assortment.
1961
Margaret becomes the first woman to serve on our Board of Directors when Pepperidge Farm is acquired.
1962
Pepperidge Farm Goldfish debut. The first five flavors are: Lightly Salted (Original), Cheese, Pizza, Barbecue and Smoky. Today, Goldfish are among the world’s most popular snack crackers.
1962
Andy Warhol debuts Campbell’s Soup Cans paintings at the Ferus art gallery in Los Angeles.
1965
SpaghettiOs debuts as “The greatest invention since the napkin.” Original varieties were “Original,” “Franks,” and “Little Meatballs.”
1970
We launch Chunky soup, our first product geared specifically toward men. In 1997, Chunky soup becomes the Official Soup Sponsor of the NFL, with the birth of our famous Mama’s Boys campaign featuring NFL stars.
1974
The Campbell Soup Foundation launches a Summer Program providing safe, constructive activities for thousands of Camden youth each year.
1981
We introduce Prego pasta sauces, becoming the #1 new dry grocery product of the decade.
1983
Our first childcarecenteropensfor Campbell families. In 2018 we celebrated the grand opening of a newstate-of-the-art Family Center.
did you know
1988
Goldfish crackers blast into space onboard the Space Shuttle Discovery.
did you know
1990
The 20 billionth can of Campbell’s Condensed Tomato soup is made.
did you know
1991
Campbell’s Healthy Request soups are introduced, providing a heart healthy and convenient soup option.
1995
We acquire Pace Foods, a leading producer of salsa, founded by David Pace in San Antonio, Texas in 1947.
1997
Goldfish crackers become “The Snack That Smiles Back” with the introduction of “Smiley,” and actual smiles on some of the crackers. This marks the first-ever alteration to Goldfish since the crackers launched in 1962.
1997
We celebrate 100 years of Campbell’s condensed soup.
2004
We launch our first Employee Resource Group (ERG), the Campbell African American Network. Today known as the Black Resource Group, it is one of almost a dozen ERGs across the company that help us continue to build a more inclusive workplace.
2006
Goldfish Finn and Friends advertising campaign is first introduced.
2010
We invest in the expansion of our World Headquarters in Camden, New Jersey by opening a new 80,000 square foot, silver-level LEED certified employee center. Our total footprint is now 750,000 square feet.
2011
We launch Campbell’s Healthy Communities, a 10-year, $10-million commitment to improve the health of young people in our hometown of Camden, New Jersey. The program focuses on four areas that we believe make communities healthier: food access; physical activity; nutrition education; and public will.
2012
We dedicate a 9.8 megawatt solar field at our Napoleon, Ohio manufacturing location.
2012
We launch a limited-edition series of cans of Campbell’s Condensed Tomato Soup with Andy Warhol-inspired labels to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the artist’s work.
2016
Campbell’s Well Yes! launches with 9 original varieties, including Roasted Chicken & Wild Rice.
2017
We acquire Pacific Foods, maker of natural and organic broths, soups, and plant-based beverages, founded in Tualatin, Oregon in 1987.
2018
We acquire Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. of Charlotte, North Carolina, a leading snack company with well-known brands like Snyder’s of Hanover, Lance, Kettle Brand, Cape Cod, and Late July.
1909
Harry V. Warehime first began making pretzels for the Hanover Pretzel Company, which later became Snyder’s of Hanover.
1913
Philip L. Lance, began selling roasted peanuts on the streets of Charlotte and soon after the Lance peanut butter sandwich cracker was born.
1980
Cape Cod potato chips founders started selling their homemade potato chips out of a tiny storefront in Hyannis, Massachusetts. The Cape Cod Potato Chip Hyannis Factory opened in 1985, where visitors can stop by for a self-guided tour.
1988
Kettle Brand first introduced Sea Salt & Vinegar potato chips. Backyard BBQ potato chips were introduced in 2007 and Jalapeno potato chips in 2009. All three flavors remain fan favorites today!
2003
Since 2003, Late July snacks has paved the way in the organic, non-GMO tortilla chip market by authentically crafting classic, delicious snacks with real ingredients. In 2020 Late July snacks debuted its first-ever national advertising campaign.
2019
Mark A. Clouse becomes our 14th president and CEO.
2019
We celebrate 150 years of making delicious, affordable food for all.
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