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Campbell History
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Campbell’s History

Highlights from over 150 years at your kitchen table.

Timeline
Stories from our archives
Behind-the-scenes videos

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.

The Early Days

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.

Arthur Dorrance

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, invents the process of condensing soup, leading to smaller packaging: Cans! The invention makes soups more affordable for families while preserving the quality of the ingredients. 

John Dorrance

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.

Grace Dayton

1904

Campbell Kids are “born” when a Philadelphia artist, Grace Dayton, sketches them for a series of streetcar advertisements.

Campbell Kids

Later, the Campbell Kids will be portrayed playing many roles…

Campbell Kids Farmer

…including farmers, army doctors during World War I, and athletes training for the Winter Olympics.

Good Housekeeping

did you know

1905

Our first national ad campaign debuts in magazines like Good Housekeeping.

Trucks delivering Campbell's

DID you know

1911

Campbell’s soup achieves national distribution.

Dr. John T. Dorrance

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 of Campbell’s condensed 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, who shared new techniques and methods with Campbell’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.

Franco-American Food products

Introducing Campbell Soup Company

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 would become 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. Peacock 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.

Building on our Success

Campbell Soup Foundation

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.

Pepperidge Farm Stuffing

1940

Pepperidge Farm Stuffing debuts in October—just in time for Thanksgiving!

Margaret holding her 100 millionth loaf of bread

1950

On September 28th, Pepperidge Farm produces its 100 millionth loaf of bread.

Milano cookies debut as part of a summer assortment

1956

Milano cookies debut as part of a summer assortment.

Campbell Soup Company Board of Directors 1961

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.

Becoming an Icon

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.

Child playing with giant parachute

1981

We introduce Prego pasta sauces, becoming the #1 new dry grocery product of the decade. 

1983

Our first child care center opens for Campbell families. In 2018 we celebrated the grand opening of a new state-of-the-art Family Center. 

Child Care Center original logo

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.

Looking Toward the Future

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.

Solar Panels at our Napoleon, Ohio plant

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.

Well Yes! 2016 ad

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.

Snyder's Lance

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.

Mark Clouse

2019

Mark A. Clouse becomes our 14th president and CEO.

2019

We celebrate 150 years of making delicious, affordable food for all.

Stories from our archive

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Sharing Our Heritage