Peanut Butter and Jelly

Patrick R. Peanut Butter and Jelly Peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches are a timeless creation that helps kids these days who are “picky eaters” survive. The salty and sweet flavors combine to make a treat that you don’t have to feel guilty about eating. This treat hasn’t been around for all that long though. Although bread and jelly have been around for endless years, peanut butter spread was only first invented in 1890 and soon started to get noticed around 1904. Then between 1920 and 1930, the first commercial peanut butters were created, starting with Skippy and Peter Pan. With the creation of these an obsession over this sticky substance was born and it soon became a necessity in houses. By the 1940’s peanut butter had become so popular that it was put in soldiers rations, along with jelly and bread. Speculation puts around this time as the birth of the “PB&J.” Rumors say that a man by the name of Theodore Saltos invented the Peanut Butter and Jelly while serving as GI. This invention spread throughout America and many other parts of the world and it soon became one of the most popular meals. I believe that the reason the U.S. won World War II was because of a nationwide love for peanut butter and jelly that united America and revived the patriotism that it had not seen since the revolution. Similar to other things such as wine, cheese, and EA sports’ Madden NFL; the peanut butter and jelly sandwich got better over time. Other companies started creating new brands of both peanut butter and jelly that created a rivalry and a competitive atmosphere that forced the companies to put their best effort into their products. Better products were being put out and the companies were looking for an item to help them separate from the rest of the pack. In the 1970s Smuckers came out with an item that gave them that separation. It was a product called Goober Grape Peanut Butter & Jelly. Goober Grape Peanut Butter and Jelly is a jar that looks like it has zebra stripes inside because it has peanut butter AND jelly in it. This was so simple, yet so ingenious that it gave Smuckers the edge in peanut and jelly manufacturing because this idea was so appealing to Americans. Opening jars is hard, time- consuming, and sometimes lethal if you REALLY do it wrong. With this invention you only have to use one jar and one knife, a feat worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize if you ask me. However, people often overlook one of the biggest advantages of this fantastic creation. Because the peanut butter and jelly are administered at the same time, one side isn’t overloaded with one. Not only does this help the taste become more cohesive and tastier, but it keeps the jelly from soaking through the bread on one side. With the release of the Goober Grape Peanut Butter and Jelly, Smuckers had taken a commanding lead in the peanut butter and jelly industry, but the biggest question was would it last? The answer is absolutely. No company was able to even come close to matching the convenience and swagger that the Goober Grape combo literally brought to the table. However, Smuckers was able to put a dagger into the heart of any remaining competition with a new item called Uncrustables. Uncrustables are a sealed crust less sandwich that was created around 2006. Uncrustables are perfect for on the go eating because you don’t have to worry about the peanut butter or jelly leaking out and they fit perfectly in anyone’s hand. Once again; simple yet so brilliant. So, over the last about one hundred years, peanut butter and jelly has been embraced by all around the world and in return peanut butter and jelly has embraced us back. I believe that peanut butter and jelly is the universal language because all can relate to it and it brings a smile to everyone, particularly me.