Re: Bovril


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Previous # Next ] [ Start New Thread ] [ TarBoard ]

Posted by Simon on November 03, 2004 at 09:15:21 from 195.92.168.176 user dakin80.

In Reply to: Bovril posted by John Barton on October 25, 2004 at 23:15:18:

From "How It All Began, The story behind those famous names" by Maurice Baren:

The origins of Bovril can be traced back to 1871 when a Scot, John Lawson Johnston, started producing tinned beef in Canada to stock up French fortifications after the Franco-Prussian war. This enabled him to develop the blending of meat extract with caramel, salt and spices, something he had been experimenting with in a much smaller way. This product a spreda for puttin on bread or mixing with water to make a hot drink, became known as "Johnston's Fluid Beef" and later as "Bo Vril".

In 1884 after his Canadian factory had been destroyed by fire, Lawson Johnston returned to London and set up a factory at 10 Trinity Square. He started a vigorous and successful marketing cappaign - even selling the product in public houses!

The first record of sales of Bovril drink in Britain was in 1886, with free tastings at the Colonial and Continental Exhibition in South Kensington.

The name originates from bo (latin for ox) and vril from Vrilya, the name given to "life force" in Bulwell Lytton's long-forgotten novel The Coming Race. The founder of the company said that the name for Bovril drink came to him 'over a cigar'.

The page for Bovril also includes a 1909 testimonial by Ernest Shackleton.

Simon



Follow Ups:



Post a Followup

Name:
Eel-Mail:

Existing subject (please edit appropriately) :

Comments:

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

post direct to TarBoard test post first

Before posting it is necessary to be a registered user.


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TarBoard ]

Courtesy of Environmental Science, Lancaster

space