1749-1841

French Inventor

Nicolas Appert was born in 1749 in Châlons, which lies in the Champagne district of France. He developed an industrial method for canning food and beverages that is still used today.

Appert, who came from a long line of farmers and innkeepers, was born at his family's inn. As a boy, he learned to cook and to cork champagne bottles. He learned more about food and wine by working at other inns and as a master chef for a duke and duchess.

In 1784 Appert used an inheritance to open a candy and grocery shop in Paris. The following year, he married Elisabeth Benoist, with whom he had five children. When the French Revolution broke out in 1789, Appert contributed money to the revolutionary army and represented his political district at Louis XVI's execution. His prominence led to his arrest on false charges during the...