1922

• A young chemist named Dr. Cyril P Callister, hired by the Fred Walker Company, develops a remarkable and distinguished new spread from brewer’s yeast.
• It’s appealing taste is backed up by its credentials as being one of the world’s richest known sources of natural Vitamin B.
• It is sold in a two ounce (57g) amber glass jar, capped with what was known as a Phoenix seal, to keep the contents fresh.
• It is labelled ‘Pure Vegetable Extract’.
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

1923

• Fred Walker runs a competition inviting the Australian public to create a name for the new spread. A prize of 50 pounds – a sizeable sum for that era – is placed into a prize pool for finalists.
• Hundreds of people enter. Fred Walker’s daughter selects the winning name: VEGEMITE. The name of the winning entrant is not placed on record.
• VEGEMITE spread begins being sold from grocers’ shelves.
• It is described as delicious on sandwiches and toast, and as improving the flavour of soups, stews and gravies.
• Its flavour and nutritional qualities do not catch on with the Australian public.
• Initial sales are slow.
  
  

  

1926

• The Fred Walker Company becomes Kraft Walker Foods.
• VEGEMITE spread is produced in a limited edition branded porcelain jar, one that has since become a collector’s item.

1928

• Sales of VEGEMITE spread are sluggish.
• VEGEMITE spread is renamed ‘Parwill’, in an attempt to emulate the success of the English spread, ‘Marmite’ that dominates the Australian market. It is branded with the catchphrase, “If Marmite…then Parwill.”
• Parwill is only ever sold in Queensland, and does not take off nationally.
• Fred Walker reverts to the VEGEMITE brand and name.