Hippolyte Mège-Mouriès

Hippolyte Mège-Mouriès

Hippolyte Mège-Mouriès
Born	October 24, 1817 Draguignan, France
Died	May 31, 1880 (aged 62) Paris, France
Nationality	French
Occupation	Chemist, Inventor

Hippolyte Mège-Mouriès (October 24, 1817 – May 31, 1880) was a French chemist and inventor. He is best known for his invention of margarine, a widely used butter substitute.

Early Life and Education

Mège-Mouriès was born on October 24, 1817, in Draguignan, France. He showed an early interest in chemistry and pursued his passion by studying at the École Centrale des Arts et Manufactures in Paris.

Invention of Margarine

In the mid-19th century, there was a growing demand for a cheaper alternative to butter. Mège-Mouriès took up the challenge and began experimenting with various substances to create a butter substitute. After several years of research, he successfully developed a product known as oleomargarine, which later became known as margarine.

Mège-Mouriès' invention involved combining animal fats, such as beef tallow, with milk and water to create a spreadable substance that resembled butter. This new product gained popularity due to its lower cost and longer shelf life compared to butter.

Patent and Commercial Success

In 1869, Mège-Mouriès obtained a patent for his margarine invention. He then partnered with the Dutch company Jurgens to commercialize and mass-produce the product. Margarine quickly gained popularity as a substitute for butter, especially among lower-income households.

Legacy

Hippolyte Mège-Mouriès' invention of margarine revolutionized the food industry and provided an affordable alternative to butter. His work paved the way for further advancements in food science and technology.