Seeds: Air bubbles trapped in glass, often seed-shaped. The Ball brothers, Frank and Ed, developed a semi-automatic process for the manufacture of fruit jars, which greatly increased the number of jars on the market and led to Ball jars becoming synonymous with the term “fruit jars,” much like Kleenex became for “tissue.”įruit jars were produced primarily in clear and “Ball blue” (aqua), but some amber, cobalt, and even milk glass examples can be found out there in the wild, and they are likely worth upwards of several hundred dollars. It’s likely that “White Lightning” derived its name from the fact that bootleggers used these jars to store their product. A frisbee-shaped glass lid took the place of the screw-on lid and was held in place by an ingenious wire clamp, invented by Henry William Putnam in 1882. Lightning jars, so named because they could be easily and quickly opened, solved the problem of canned foods acquiring a metallic taste due to contact with a metal lid. Lightning Jars Patented by Henry William Putnam The invention gave homemakers a new means of preserving food for their households, in addition to smoking, salting, drying, and pickling. A rubber ring tucked inside the lid created the seal necessary to preserve the contents. John Mason invented and patented the process for cutting a thread onto the lip of glass jars, as well as a corresponding thread inside zinc lids, which could then be screwed tightly onto the jars. 30th 1858 patent date appears on literally thousands of canning jars produced between 1858-1920. Mason wasn’t the only manufacturer to add this patent date to his jars, hence its vast proliferation. Instantly recognizable by avid vintage-lovers, the Nov. But before we jump in, liets take a look at some of the history behind these vintage collectibles. Welcome to my antique and vintage canning jar price guide! In it you’ll find many commonly found canning jars and their suggested values.