Julius Landsberger
| Julius Antonius Landsberger | |
| Born | November 15, 1875 California |
|---|---|
| Died | September 19, 1941 Alameda, California |
| Employer | American Goldy Stopper Company, Hunt Brothers Packing Company |
| Occupation | Businessman, canner. |
Julius Antonius Landsberger was a San Francisco businessman active in the canning industry throughout the early 20th century. Landsberger was notable for controlling patents on jar lids throughout the early part of the 20th century, and for his takeover of the Hunt Brothers Packing Company in 1918. Landsberger held two patents on economy metal jar lids with a composition gasket[1][2][3][4]. Califoirnia Fruit News in 1918 summarized his involvement as "J. A. Landsberger... has been identified with the canning industry for many years. Until recently, he controlled the hermetic seals used universally in the preserving and catsup industries"[5]. Landsberger ran the American Goldy Stopper Company, founded in 1910, to manufacture the stoppers and machinery[6]. Julius listed his occupation in the 1910 U.S. Census as "Representative, Foreign Patent".
Landsberger arranged the purchase of a controlling interest in the Hunt Brothers Packing Company in 1918, and acted as the company's president. In 1922, he sold his controlling interest to other directors and supposedly remained president of the corporation.
Landsberger was quite the fashionista, picking up on the pajama trend early[7][8]:
It pays to be fastidious. Julius Landsberger, president of Hunt Brothers Packing Company, San Francisco, recently met with an annoying and what might have been perhaps a more difficult experience in coming home from a trip out of town. Mr. Landsberger had the misfortune to have his clothes stolen from his Pullman berth just before arrival. This made it necessary, according to the daily press reporters on duty at the depot, for the executive head of Hunt Brothers Packing Company to make a dash for his taxicab, meanwhile demonstrating the care he uses in the selection of his haberdashery. While the eyewitness accounts differ as to the color, either is satisfactory, one reporter announcing that Mr. Landsberger was clad in lavender pajamas and another claiming they were light blue. The main features of his experience seem to be verified, except that Mr. Landsberger denies that he carried a cane.
Landsberger apparently didn't stay long after selling his interest in Hunts, appearing only as "inventor" in a 1923 Alameda city directory, and with no occupation listed in the 1930 census.
Julius Landsberger's family was also active in the food industry; according to the 1910 U.S. Census, his father, Henry A. Landsberger was a "merchant" working for a wine company, and his brother, Albert H. Landsberger, was a merchant at a commission house[9]. Albert also turns up in a 1912 San Francisco chamber of commerce listing as a canned goods wholesaler with an office at 502 Market St. in San Francisco[10].
Details
See also Landsberger's comments at a dinner for growers in the Golden Gate Packing Co.'s cannery in 1921[11].
See also lunch for workers in 1922[12].
References
- ↑ Popular Closures of the 20th Century: Dave Hinson, A Primer on Fruit Jars. Originally published in the December 1996 edition of Bottles and Extras.
- ↑ How to Date Kerr Jars
- ↑ US Patent 783608A: Closure for Receptacles. Invented by William C. Buhles, assigned to Julius A. Landsberger. Filing date April 4, 1904, publication February 28 1905.
- ↑ US Patent 1158784: Hermetically-sealed Jar. Invented by William C. Buhles, assigned to Julius A. Landsberger. Filing date April 4, 1904, publication February 28 1905.
- ↑ Hunt Brothers Company Announces Important Changes in Personnel: March 9, 1918 California Fruit News.
- ↑ With the Bottler in the Golden West: November 15, 1910 American Bottler
- ↑ Trade Personals: September 25, 1920 California Fruit News
- ↑ Pajama-Clad Man In Dash Through Depot: September 13, 1920 San Jose Evening News
- ↑ 1910 United States Federal Census, Alameda Township, Ward 4, district 09. The family lived at 1615 San Jose Avenue.
- ↑ San Francisco Chamber of Commerce Journal, 1912.
- ↑ Banquet to Fruit Growers Given at San Jose By Hunt Packing Company: March 1922 Western Canner and Packer.
- ↑ Cannery In Barbecue for Work'rs: March 4, 1922 San Jose Evening News