On this day, July 5, 1937, Hormel introduced Spam to a hungry world.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

• 1937 – The Hormel Foods Corporation introduced Spam, the canned precooked meat product that would eventually enter into pop culture, folklore, and urban legend.

[Ocelot II]

1. Legendary, indeed.

[Bayard]

2. Gack!

Mystery meat. Had to eat way too much of it as a poor kid growing up.

[calguy]

4. I ate share of it too.

We were poor, and I remember my dad slicing it up and throw it on the grill smothered in bbq sauce just to make it palatable.

[hunter]

7. It was magical meat to people who didn't have ice boxes or refrigerators...

... especially those living in warm climates where meat goes bad fast.

It was affordable instant meat in a conveniently sized package that could be eaten by a family in one meal.

My great grandmothers made hard sausage, killed chickens, and such, but that was incredibly hard work compared to opening a can of Spam.

My grandmothers were extremely proud and feeling modern with their pantries full of store-bought canned foods, including Spam. They were liberated from the worst drudgery of cooking.

When I was a kid our family lived a year without a refrigerator. That was different... it changes one's entire approach to cooking and portion management, especially for a large family.

[Doc Sportello]

3. Many years ago I decided to try and eat some as I had in my youth

Spit it out after one taste. Many things are not as we remember.

[ret5hd]

8. Did you fry it first.

If not, newbie mistake.

[Doc Sportello]

9. Of course I fried it

Just like mom. I'm no newbie to SPAM. As a kid, it was something interesting and maybe I liked all the salt. As an adult, it is horrible. Your taste may differ.

[TexasBushwhacker]

5. I like it

I slice it thin and fry it until it's crispy. Then I put it in my grilled cheese sandwich.

[malthaussen]

6. I thought it was older than that.

Then again, 1937 is a lot longer ago than it used to be.

-- Mal