International Dairy Foods Association - IDFA

Milestones of Milk History in the United States

Milk and milk products have played an important role in America's history since 1611, when the first dairy cows were brought to Jamestown, Virginia. Since those early days, the industry has successfully continued to serve the nutritional needs of a growing nation with a wide selection of products.

Today's dairy industry includes the farmers, who produce the milk; processors and manufacturers, who provide all the services needed to turn out a variety of wholesome, refreshing dairy foods; and the retailers, who bring these products directly to consumers.

Because milk and milk products are now readily available and frequently consumed in the United States, a steady supply of these foods is often taken for granted. However, until fairly recently, milk was not always readily available. Thanks to the many advancements and improvements achieved by the entire industry in the areas of processing, packaging, refrigeration and distribution, a wide range of dairy products is now available to everyone.

Another development has been the important research and experimentation that has resulted in improved methods of selection, breeding and feeding of cows. One hundred years ago, milk production per cow was estimated at 1,700 quarts annually; today the average has leaped to more than 8,200 quarts per cow.

Important Dates in Milk History
1611 Cows arrive for Jamestown Colony.
1624 Cows reach Plymouth Colony.
1841 First regular shipment of milk by rail.
1856 Pasteur experiments start.
1856 Gail Borden received first patent on condensed milk from both the United States and England.
1857 First successful condensery built by Gail Borden in Burrville, Connecticut.
1878 Continuous centrifugal cream separator invented by Dr. Gustav De Laval.
1884 Milk bottle invented by Dr. Hervey D. Thatcher, Potsdam, New York.
1886 Automatic bottle filler and capper patented.
1890 Tuberculin testing of dairy herds introduced. Test for fat content of milk and cream perfected by Dr. S.M. Babcock.
1892 Certified milk originated by Dr. Henry L. Coit in Essex County, New Jersey.
1895 Commercial pasteurizing machines introduced.
1908 First compulsory pasteurization law (Chicago) applying to all milk except that from tuberculin tested cows.
1911 Automatic rotary bottle filler and capper perfected.
1914 Tank trucks first used for transporting milk.
1919 Homogenized milk sold successfully in Torrington, Connecticut.
1932 Ways of increasing Vitamin D in milk made practicable.
1932 First plastic coated paper milk cartons introduced commercially.
1933 Fluid milk included in Army ration.
1938 First farm bulk tanks for milk began to replace milk cans.
1942 Every-other-day milk delivery started (initially as a war conservation measure).
1946 Vacuum pasteurization method perfected.
1948 Ultra-high temperature pasteurization is introduced.
1950 Milk vending machines win place in distribution.
1955 Flavor control equipment for milk is introduced commercially.
1964 Plastic milk container introduced commercially.
1967 Nondairy milk substitute introduced in several markets.
1968 Electronic testing for milk is introduced commercially marking the official acceptance of process.
1974 Nutrition labeling of fluid milk products begins.
1975 Metric measurement equivalent introduced.
1980 American Dairy Association launches the national introduction of the "REAL" Ž Seal dairy symbol.
1981 UHT (ultra high temperature) milks gain national recognition.
1983 Creation of National Dairy Promotion and Research Board.
1988 Lower fat dairy products gain widespread acceptance. Lowfat and skim milk sales combined exceed whole milk sales for first time.
1993 Mandatory animal drug residue testing program established.
1994 rBST, or recombinant Bovine Somatotropin is approved for commercial use in the United States as a safe and effective means to increase milk production in cows.
1994 Nutrition Labeling and Education Act requires mandatory nutrition labeling.
1995 Launch of processor-funded milk mustache advertising campaign.