Mason jar

A Mason jar, also known as a canning jar, preserves jar or fruit jar, is a glass jar used in home canning to preserve food. It was named after American tinsmith John Landis Mason, who patented it in 1858. The jar's mouth has a screw thread on its outer perimeter to accept a metal ring or "band". The band, when screwed down, presses a separate stamped steel disc-shaped lid against the jar's rim.^[1][2]

After Mason's patent expired, numerous other companies began manufacturing similar jars. Over the years, the brand name Mason became the genericized trademark for that style of glass home canning jar, and the word "Mason" can be seen on many Ball and Kerr brand jars. The style of jar is occasionally referred to by common brand names such as Ball jar (in the eastern US) or Kerr jar (in the western US) even if the individual jar is not that brand.^[3][4][5]

In early 20th-century America, Mason jars became useful to those who lived in areas with short growing seasons. The jars became an essential part of farming culture, while being used at fairs to display jams and pickles for judging and awards. This was a reflection of the labour that went into making the jams. The jams, pickles, and sauces would be given and exchanged as gifts during the holidays as a canned preserved good was of much value. The peak use of Mason jars came during World War II, when the U.S. government rationed food, encouraging the public to grow their own. As migration to cities occurred, along with the rise of refrigerators, the more efficient transport of goods made fruit and vegetables available year round, reducing the need for food preservation. Contemporary industrial preservation transitioned to the use of plastics like bakelite and nylon and billions of containers were produced instead.^[6]

In the early to mid-2010s a revival of the Mason jar occurred from a mix of the rise of thrifting and adoption by hipsters. Used as a novelty by major corporations like 7-Eleven^[7] to advertise new drinks, for greenwashing being branded as zero waste consumer lifestyle,^[8] or as a trendy presentation for dessert.^[9][10] In a search for authenticity, commodification of Mason jars occurred leading to irony, as drinking out of canning jar highlighted overconsumption and lack of scarcity, the opposite of the designed intention of the jars.^[11] Its utility has been praised for use as a variety of household functional and decorative purposes; such as an oil lantern, soap dispenser, speaker or vase.^[6]

On August 15, 2017, the registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed National Mason Jar Day to be observed annually as a national holiday on November 30, beginning in 2017.^[12]