MASON JAR TRIVIA

• John Mason invented and patented the Mason jar in 1858. Brothers Edmund, Frank, George, William and Lucius Ball started making fruit jars in 1884 in Buffalo, N.Y., moving to Muncie, Ind., in 1887.

• The brothers gave a small college in Muncie to the state of Indiana, later renamed Ball State University.

• 585,000 jars and 3 million lids are produced daily at the Ball plant in Muncie.

• Kerr canning jars are made by Jarden, the same company that produces the Mason jar.

• The first jars were produced in aqua- and amber-colored glass and later, clear. This year, jar lids will be produced in silver to coordinate with sleek stainless steel and brushed nickel finishes found throughout the home.

• Blenders were designed to fit Mason jars.