Graham Crackers invented by Reverend Sylvester Graham

We Want Graham Crackers!

When I was a child, Graham Crackers were the staple food of children, used by mothers to treat, bribe and stuff their young ones.  Graham Crackers were invented by Presbyterian Minister, Sylvester Graham in 1974-1851.  Reverend Graham became a temperance advocate (no alcohol) and traveled extensively to lecture on ‘demon rum’.  He also invented a vegetable diet that he believed would cure those suffering from the evils of drink.  He soon extended his mission to include changing America’s sinful eating habits.  Meats and fats, he said, led to sexual excesses and mustard and catsup could cause insanity.

Was Graham…Crackers?

Although he stepped over the cliff on the meats, fats, mustard and catsup ideas, he did give some advice that is affirmed by modern science today.  Graham urged the substitution of homemade unsifted whole wheat flour  for white bread and most of his regimen included vegetables and fruits in the diet.  He promoted fresh air while sleeping, moderate eating and exercise.

What Will You Be Remembered For?

His memorials are the Graham flour, Graham bread and Graham crackers that his followers ate and dedicated to him.  Sounds a lot better than ‘drinking the Kool-aid’ for which Jim Jones was memorialized in history and our vocabulary.

Wonder what he would say about Smores…..toasted marshmallows with melting chocolate bar on graham crackers?

Another moment in history from The Henry Holt Enecyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins by Robert Hendrickson