 Morton
Salt Girl - The company mascot for the Morton Salt Company since the
early 1900s. The idea for the Morton Salt Girl (who has never been given a name)
came about when the company began adding magnesium carbonate to their salt
product in 1911. This additive kept the moisture level at a minimum and promoted
a freer flowing salt product. To advertise this concept to its customers, the
company created the image of little girl walking underneath an umbrella as she
carried a round container of Morton salt with the spout open and salt running
out on the ground. The ads ran in Good Housekeeping magazine. Their
slogan read: "Even in rainy weather, it flows freely." Eventually, the slogan
was modified to say "When it rains, it pours." From time to time, the image of
the Morton Salt Girl has been modified with a more modern look (new dresses and
hairstyles). First in 1921 and then in 1933, 1941, 1956, and 1968.
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Morton Salt Girl Over the
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| 1914 |
1921 |
1933 |
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| 1941 |
1956 |
1968 |
Now owned by the Rohm and Hass chemical conglomerate, Morton International is
the number-one salt company in North America and the only nationally distributed
salt in the United States.
The company takes its name from its founders, Joy and Mark Morton. Initially Joy
Morton worked as a partner with E. I. Wheeler & Company, a Chicago company that
sold salt. When his partner died in 1885, Joy teamed with his brother Mark to
form the Joy Morton Company which eventually became the Morton Salt Company in
1910.
Their company's distinctive 26oz blue and white cardboard canister with an
aluminum pouring spout was invented by J. R. Harbeck. Prior to that time, salt
was sold in bags which tended to become hard and lumpy due to salt's hydroscopic
properties.
In 1924, Morton added iodine to their salt to help eliminate iodine deficiency
problems in the general population. Advertisements reading "Face the facts
mothers, for your children's sake, this simple addition to diet improves food
and protects health." and "Brilliance for Little Minds, Strength for Little
Bodies" promoted the importance of iodine in the diet.
1951 Morton's Salt Ad
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