Today I am 57. It’s a number that always make me think of the food manufacturer Heinz. From when I was as young as Daniel I can remember my mum telling me it was something to do with the Heinz company having 57 varieties of tinned and bottled products. Back then I couldn’t even begin to imagine myself reaching 57 years of age.

Heinz 57. Why 57?

Thinking about it now I am turning 57 it seems a bit odd. There would have been a short time when they probably had 57 products on the market. But that number would have soon gone up (or down) as new products were brought to the shelves of shops. In fact, by 1892, four years before the slogan was created, the Heinz company was already selling more than 60 products. Somehow “Heinz 60” just doesn’t work does it?

Henry J. Heinz – the founder of the food company based in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, USA –   introduced the marketing slogan “57 pickle Varieties” in 1896. Apparently he was inspired by an advertisement he saw in New York City for a shoe store boasting “21 styles”. The reason for “57” is actually not known for sure. Heinz said he chose “5” because it was his lucky number and the number “7” was his wife’s lucky number. Although “7” is generally considered a lucky number for many people so it could just be that.  Whatever the reasons, Heinz wanted the company to advertise their large choice of pickles and foods.

Older, Wiser, Richer?

I saw a couple of phrase the other day that seems to fit reaching the Heinz age. ‘The older you get the wiser you get’ – and I suppose that one is true. But they also say that as you reach retirement age you should be more financially secure. To that one I say this:

When I was young I was poor. But after decades of hard work, I’m no longer young.

All that may change now. Dani bought me a board game . Monopoly! He loves it. More on that one to come…