Difference between revisions of "Alfred Bird (1811-1878)"
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Bird's friends persuaded him to develop these products commercially, and there was a rapidly increasing demand for them; this necessitated a move to larger premises at 69 Worcester Street, Birmingham. Production greatly increased, and distribution became nationwide. | Bird's friends persuaded him to develop these products commercially, and there was a rapidly increasing demand for them; this necessitated a move to larger premises at 69 Worcester Street, Birmingham. Production greatly increased, and distribution became nationwide. | ||
1848 | c.1844 Birth of son Charles | ||
1848 Birth of his son, [[Alfred Frederick Bird]]; one other son and two daughters also survived infancy. | |||
1855 Baking powder was accepted for production of fresh bread for the British army in the Crimean War. Large quantities were shipped. | 1855 Baking powder was accepted for production of fresh bread for the British army in the Crimean War. Large quantities were shipped. | ||
An early pioneer of advertising, Bird advertised his baking powder in 1855, and in the press from 1860. | An early pioneer of advertising, Bird advertised his baking powder in 1855, and in the press from 1860. | ||
1861 Alfred Bird 49, lived in Birmingham with Elizabeth Lavinia Bird 50, Charles Bird 17, Jessie Martha Bird 15, [[Alfred Frederick Bird]] 11<ref>1861 census</ref> | |||
Bird also carried out investigations in the fields of physics, meteorology, electricity, and magnetism. He constructed a water barometer and also devised a plan for demonstrating wind direction and air movements. He lectured extensively on electricity, on electric storage batteries, and electromagnetism. He also invented a night-light which could be refuelled while still alight, and he perfected a device to keep a ball suspended on a jet of water, which he placed in his shop window as a deliberate ploy to attract passers-by to his business. It was later modified for fairground shooting booths. | Bird also carried out investigations in the fields of physics, meteorology, electricity, and magnetism. He constructed a water barometer and also devised a plan for demonstrating wind direction and air movements. He lectured extensively on electricity, on electric storage batteries, and electromagnetism. He also invented a night-light which could be refuelled while still alight, and he perfected a device to keep a ball suspended on a jet of water, which he placed in his shop window as a deliberate ploy to attract passers-by to his business. It was later modified for fairground shooting booths. | ||
Revision as of 08:39, 15 April 2021
Alfred Bird, chemist and food manufacturer
c.1811 Born, son of John and Mary Bird. He was baptized at Nympsfield, Gloucestershire in 1811[1].
His youngest brother, Frederick Bird FRAS (1816–1876), developed unique new processes for polishing telescope mirrors, and became chaplain of Birmingham general cemetery.
Apprenticed to Philip Harris and Co., in Birmingham, druggists and chemists.
1835 Married Elizabeth Lavinia Ragg (1810–1888) in Nottingham
1837 Set up his own shop in Bell Street, Birmingham, under the title 'Alfred Bird, experimental chemist'.
Because of his wife's digestive problems, her intolerance of live-yeast products, and her allergy to eggs, he embarked upon extensive research into alternatives. In 1843 he succeeded, producing "Bird's Fermenting Powder", later better known as "baking powder". This could be used as a live-yeast substitute in baking bread, buns, and cakes, and instantly overcame his wife's problems, and those of many other similar sufferers. There was an immediate demand for the product.
He went on to produce another innovation, custard powder, which contained no eggs, was simple to use, tasted very good, and yet was both nutritious and inexpensive.
Bird's friends persuaded him to develop these products commercially, and there was a rapidly increasing demand for them; this necessitated a move to larger premises at 69 Worcester Street, Birmingham. Production greatly increased, and distribution became nationwide.
c.1844 Birth of son Charles
1848 Birth of his son, Alfred Frederick Bird; one other son and two daughters also survived infancy.
1855 Baking powder was accepted for production of fresh bread for the British army in the Crimean War. Large quantities were shipped.
An early pioneer of advertising, Bird advertised his baking powder in 1855, and in the press from 1860.
1861 Alfred Bird 49, lived in Birmingham with Elizabeth Lavinia Bird 50, Charles Bird 17, Jessie Martha Bird 15, Alfred Frederick Bird 11[2]
Bird also carried out investigations in the fields of physics, meteorology, electricity, and magnetism. He constructed a water barometer and also devised a plan for demonstrating wind direction and air movements. He lectured extensively on electricity, on electric storage batteries, and electromagnetism. He also invented a night-light which could be refuelled while still alight, and he perfected a device to keep a ball suspended on a jet of water, which he placed in his shop window as a deliberate ploy to attract passers-by to his business. It was later modified for fairground shooting booths.
Demonstrated his harmonized glass bowls at the Royal Institution, and later, by royal command, played before Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace.
1870 elected a fellow of the Chemical Society
Founding member of the Philosophical Society.
1878 of 366 Bristol Road, and 93 Worcester Street, Birmingham, died at home[3].
See Also
Sources of Information
- Biography of Alfred Bird, ODNB