Everything you ever wanted to know about SPAM®
SPAM® first came to the UK following the passing of the 'Lend-lease' act by the US Government in 1941. The aim of the act was to aid the allied forces in Britain and Russia during WWII.
For the British public, struggling to get to terms with life on rations, SPAM® was a tasty and welcome addition to their diet. Its long life and ability to liven up a variety of dishes is still as much a key to its popularity now as it was then.
2000's
2009 – Nicky Baker was named SPAM® Cook of the Year Winner 2009
2008 – Stuart Higgs was named SPAM® Cook of the Year Winner 2008
2007 – SPAM® Spreaders received a make over and SPAM® supported the start of the Rugby season by launching the Limited Edition Rugby Can.
2006 – Stinky French Garlic SPAM® was launched in celebration of the phenomenal SPAMALOT™, the Musical in London
SPAM® was launched into the chiller cabinet, a first for SPAM®. The SPAM® Fritter was born in the style of a quick and convenient meal for all to enjoy
SPAM® went football crazy and launched the Football World Cup Limited Edition Can
SPAM® enjoys a renaissance in Britain since it was re-launched four years ago with its first advertising campaign in decades.
2002 - the six billionth can is sold.
The UK official SPAM™ web site is launched – spam-uk.com. The launch sees over 125,000 hits in the first two weeks alone.
2000 - SPAM® - The Cookbook, written by celebrity cook and author Marguerite Patten, launches
1990's
1997 - Hormel Foods awards Tulip UK with the licence for supplying SPAM® to the UK market.
1997 - SPAM® gets a revamp with a new can design picturing a SPAMBURGER™ hamburger.
The official SPAM™ Fan Clubs are launched in the UK and U.S.
1991 - the official SPAM® museum opens in Austin, Minnesota. The museum quickly attracts over 60,000 people annually, from all over the world.
1980's
Russian president Boris Yeltsin is presented with a can of SPAM® by then president of Hormel Foods, R.L. Knowlton.
1970's
The Monty Python SPAM® sketch is aired which becomes one of their most famous television moments. The sketch, considered a classic comedy moment, is set in a café and everything on the menu contains SPAM®.
1960's
In the USA, SPAM® adapts to suit smaller families needs, by introducing 7 ounce tins in addition to the original 12 ounce tin.
In the UK, schools put SPAM® at the top of their menu.
1950's
The Newforge factory first makes SPAM® under licence in the UK in the late 1950s.
The one-billionth can of SPAM® is produced in America and in 1959, one billion cans of SPAM® have been sold. There is now enough SPAM® to go around the world twice.
The 34th American president Dwight D. Eisenhower wrote to Hormel Foods after World War II about SPAM® saying, "I... officially forgive you your only sin: sending us so much of it."
1940's
On March 11, 1941, the American Lend Lease act is signed, bringing SPAM® Chopped Pork and Ham to Britain for the first time as part of the U.S. Government’s Lend Lease aid scheme for Allied Forces.
In America, what is believed to be the first-ever musical advertisement is aired to the tune of "My Bonny lies over the Ocean".
"SPAM®, SPAM®, SPAM®, SPAM®;
Hormel’s new miracle meat in a can;
Taste fine, saves time;
If you want something grand; ask for SPAM®."
During the war, SPAM® becomes a staple of the American diet because, unlike beef, it is not rationed.
1930's
American Ken Daigneau wins $100 for his suggestion at a New Years Eve party in 1936 to rename a Hormel Foods product and a legend was born.
SPAM® Luncheon Meat is created in America. Jay C Hormel, son of George A. Hormel who founded Hormel Foods, develops SPAM® in the United States. Sales were slow until, in mid-1937, the product is advertised as "the miracle meat".