The Underwood story began more than 170 years ago when an Englishman by the name of William Underwood set up a small condiment business on Boston's Russia Wharf in 1822.Underwood's first product was mustard. Soon however, he found himself preserving and shipping ketchup, marmalade, cranberries and pickles all over the world in bottles and glass jars made by early Boston glassmakers.By 1836 however, the small "glass shops" of Boston could not keep up with Underwood's burgeoning business. Out of necessity, Underwood turned to packing his products in tin canistersor as we call them today, "cans."Business boomed. Underwood's canned foods were among the staples pioneers took westward in their covered wagons. Soon, Underwood was adding oysters, lobster and mackerel to his product list. By the time he died in 1864, Underwood's company was making a fortune selling canned goods to the Unionist government during the Civil War.Around 1868, Underwood's sons began experimenting with a new product created from ground ham blended with special seasonings. The process they dubbed "deviling," for cooking and preparing the ham, was new. But best of all, the taste was unique.Soon thereafter, the "Underwood devil" was born. In 1870, the Underwood Company was granted a patent on this now world-famous logo. Advertising showing the little red devil began to appear nationally as early as 1895. Today, the Underwood devil is the oldest existing trademark still in use in the United States.Here in the 21st century, Underwood continues to carry on its long tradition of quality canned goods. Along with our Deviled Ham, Underwood's product line today includes our Chunky Chicken Spreads, Liverwurst, Liver Pate, Roast Beef Spread and Sardines.Whether you enjoy the convenience of our products at home or "on the trail" as America's early pioneers did, you can be sure that the Underwood brand will always stand for quality and great taste!
