Date:         Wed, 21 Oct 1998 08:43:29 +1000
Reply-To:     David Yates <D.Yates@BOTANY.UQ.EDU.AU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         David Yates <D.Yates@BOTANY.UQ.EDU.AU>
Organization: University of Queensland
Subject:      Vegemite (no VW content - I hope)
Comments: To: vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Vegemite (correct spelling) dates back to 1922 and the Fred Walker
Co, which became the Kraft Walker Co in 1926 and Kraft in 1951.
Dr Cyril P Callister (Australia's leading food technologists in the '20s
and 30s) developed a spread from brewers yeast (one of the richest
know natural sources of Vitamin B).  The NAME was given after a
competition for the best name (50 pound prizemoney). For a while,
the name was changed to Pawill (to compete with the English
Marmite(!! can you believe it!?).

Vegemite was an important contribution to the war effort (WW II) -
nutritional value was recognised.  (But I ALSO think it may explain
why the US didn't enter the war until a bit later).

If there is sufficient demand I could persuade someone here to scan in
the 5-page 'Vegemite in History' document to distribute.

Incidentally, Vegemite is a great addition to some soups, gravy, and
spread thinly on bread used to make toasted cheese sandwiches.

David Yates

PS Australians wonder about Oreo cookies too!