Is it true that margarine was invented by accident?

Question

My cousin told me that margarine was invented by accident, when someone was really trying to invent plastic! I don't know where she heard this but does anyone know if it's true or not? Also, can you provide a source? Thanks.

Answer 1

According to Wikepedia, short answer - no.

Answer 2

margerine was invented by accident, but not while trying to invent plastic. it was discovered by a vagrant who stored milk for a long journey. as he was travelling through a desert, he noticed that the milk became solid and turned into margerine. that is how margerine was discovered.

i'm sorry that i can't provide a source, but i used to read it somewhere before.

Answer 3

Hardly think so. Invented in 1869 by Hippolyte Mege-Mouries as result of contest conducted by Napoleon to find substitute for butter that was in short supply.  Inventor mixed suet fat in water and heated it a low temp. then added milk.  It was called oleomargarine.  I remember also that people used to use a  yellow liquid sold in bottles in the 50's to make it look like butter. Your friend might be thinking of subsequent research of oleo.  see   www.oleosolutions.com but margarine came first not the other way around