Ketchup Bottles

“Why don't we just turn the ketchup bottle upside down and let gravity work?”

In the 138 years that Heinz ketchup has been around, the recipe hasn't changed much. Its packaging, however, has gone through a bit of evolution beginning with the classic glass bottles from the late 1800s. When the company introduced a more convenient plastic squeeze bottle in 1983, ketchup sales went up by 3.7 percent from the prior year. And 20 years later, Heinz revolutionized the industry with its upside-down bottles.

Before the standardization of ketchup bottles, the condiment was often sold in bulk, dispensed from large barrels or ceramic containers. Consumers would bring their own bottles or jars to purchase ketchup, creating a cumbersome and unsanitary process. To address this issue, the H.J. Heinz Company introduced the first-ever mass-produced ketchup bottle in 1876. This bottle, known as the "pickle-pin," featured a narrow neck and a unique octagonal shape, making it easy to pour and store.

In 1889, the H.J. Heinz Company revolutionized the ketchup bottle industry with the introduction of the iconic clear glass bottle we recognize today. This bottle featured a narrow neck and a distinctive, tilted label that ensured the ketchup would flow smoothly. The use of clear glass allowed consumers to see the product inside, assuring them of its quality. This design was so successful that it has remained largely unchanged for over a century.

Despite decades of innovation, many restaurants today still prefer glass bottles, perhaps because the iconic design reassures diners that they're getting the reigning brand of ketchup. But in all those years, it seems that consumers still haven't figured out just how to get the right amount of ketchup from these bottles onto their fries. Either nothing comes out, or, if you shake too enthusiastically, the ketchup flows so quickly that your food is swimming in a pool of red.

While the Heinz bottle design endured, the materials used for ketchup bottles evolved over time. In the mid-20th century, glass bottles faced competition from plastic containers. Plastic ketchup bottles were lighter and less prone to breakage, making them ideal for both manufacturers and consumers. These plastic bottles also introduced the squeeze-top cap, allowing for greater control over the flow of ketchup.

As technology advanced, so did ketchup bottle designs. In recent years, we've witnessed innovations like the upside-down ketchup bottle, which uses a valve system to keep the ketchup ready for immediate pouring without the need for shaking or thumping. These bottles are not only convenient but also reduce product wastage.

The original glass ketchup bottle was made in 1890 but then they made a squeezable ketchup bottle in 1980. Yet, it was still difficult to get ketchup out of the bottle. So, they made what is called an upside-down container or a gravity container which was in 2001. If you were to squeeze a gravity bottle from the front, you have to physically squeeze for it to come out. But if you were to squeeze a bottle from the sides and then release all the pressure it would push out the ketchup on its own. It is the magic of physics.