The Pringles Can Burial

Before the advent of the distinctive Pringles can, the world of potato chips was often characterized by bags filled with broken crisps and a frustrating amount of empty air. This common consumer complaint spurred Procter & Gamble to seek a revolutionary packaging solution. They tasked organic chemist and food storage technician Fredric Baur with solving this problem.

Baur rose to the challenge, not only devising the iconic saddle-shaped chip, known mathematically as a hyperbolic paraboloid, but also designing the innovative tubular can that would protect them. This cylindrical container allowed for the chips to be uniformly stacked, ensuring they reached consumers intact and fresh, a stark contrast (Review) to the often-crushed contents of traditional bags. He filed the patent for this groundbreaking packaging in 1966, with it being granted in 1970.

Baur’s invention was a game-changer for the snack food industry, creating a product that was consistent in shape, size, and flavor. His pride in this engineering feat was so profound that it extended beyond his lifetime. Upon his death in 2008 at the age of 89, a portion of his cremated remains was placed inside an original flavor Pringles can, a specific request his children honored. This unique burial serves as a testament to the lasting impact of his ingenuity.