1869
seph Campbell, a fruit merchant, and Abram Anderson, an ice-box manufacturer, form firm to make canned tomatoes, vegetables, jellies, condiments and mincemeat in Camden, N.J.
1876
Anderson leaves partnership. Campbell forms new firm with Arthur Dorrance.
1891
The company is named Joseph Campbell Preserve Co.
1894
Joseph Campbell retires. Arthur Dorrance succeeds him as president.
1897
Chemist John T. Dorrance, Ph.D., Arthur's nephew, joins the company and quickly invents canned condensed soup.
1898
Campbell's Soups' red-and-white label is introduced.
1900
Campbell's Soups wins a gold medallion for excellence. The medallion has appeared on labels ever since.
1904
Philadelphia artist Grace Gebbie Drayton creates the Campbell's Kids characters.
1905
Company is renamed Joseph Campbell Co. and begins advertising in Good Housekeeping magazine.
1911
Campbell's soups gain national distribution throughout the continental United States.
1922
Company name is changed to Campbell Soup Co.
1923
Campbell Sales Co. is formed.
1931
First Campbell radio ad debuts.
1942
Annual sales top $100 million for the first time.
1948
V8 vegetable juice brand is acquired from Standard Brands. 1950 n First Campbell television ad debuts.
1954
Company goes public on the New York Stock Exchange.
1955
Campbell enters frozen foods with the acquisition of C.A. Swanson & Sons, which originated the TV dinner one year earlier.
1958
Sales top the $500 million mark. Campbell products begin distribution in continental Europe.
1961
Campbell acquires Pepperidge Farm bakery products manufacturer and Belgian cookie maker Biscuits Delacre.
1962
Pop artist Andy Warhol paints his first Campbell Soup cans.
1966
Campbell acquires Godiva Chocolatier Inc.
1971
Sales top $1 billion.
1978
Pickle-maker Vlasic Foods is acquired.
1981
Prego spaghetti sauce line is introduced nationally.
1982
Campbell acquires Mrs. Paul's Kitchens frozen foods company.
1987
Sales top $4 billion.
1988
Campbell acquires Marie's refrigerated salad dressings and Early California and Durkee olives.
1990
David W. Johnson is named president of Campbell Soup Co.
1991
Campbell acquires Sanwa ramen noodle soups. Sales top $6 billion. First continuous replenishment programs are tested with retail customers.
1992
Campbell bids for and wins control of Arnotts' Ltd. (Australia), the seventh-largest biscuit manufacturer in the world.
1993
Career sales executive C. Winston Taylor is named president of Campbell Sales Co. Campbell acquires Fray Bentos, U.K. canned meat processor. David Johnson is named Campbell chairman.
