Heinz 57? What's That About?

What is the secret behind the 57 in Heinz 57?

Henry J. Heinz was selling surplus food out of his mother's garden in 1844. He was trained as a bricklayer, but making horseradish was where he got really into selling. He'd take the labor out of making the stuff - and showed off the quality using clear glass. Horseradish was prized for it's medicinal and food improvement properties, but it was a pain in the ass to make it. (sources)

Henry quickly diversified his business to include pickles and vinegar - but one day a marketing explosion fell into Henry J. Heinz's brainpan. He saw an ad for shoes claiming “21 styles.” So - he came up with "57 varieties” of products, and now had a magic number. So, you've only ever seen the ketchup -- maybe once you saw Heinz baked beans in Ringo's suitcase? Perhaps Roger Daltry in a Who album? Well, what the hell are all those varieties, anyway? Glad you asked, because I was curious too. Ready:

1. Heinz Oven-Baked Beans with Pork and Tomato Sauce
2. Heinz Oven-Baked Beans without Tomato Sauce, with Pork--Boston Style
3. Heinz Oven-Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce without Meat--Vegetarian
4. Heinz Oven-Baked Red Kidney Beans
5. Heinz Cream of Asparagus
6. Heinz Cream of Celery Soup
7. Heinz Cream of Green Pea Soup
8. Heinz Cream of Mushroom
9. Heinz Cream of Oyster
10. Heinz Cream of Tomato Soup
11. Heinz Bean Soup
12. Heinz Beef Broth
13. Heinz Clam Chowder
14. Heinz Gumbo Creole
15. Heinz Mock Turtle Soup
16. Heinz Scotch Broth
17. Heinz Noodle Soup
18. Heinz Pepper Pot Soup
19. Heinz Vegetable Soup
20. Heinz Consomme
21. Heinz Onion Soup
22. Heinz Mince Meat
23. Heinz Puddings--Date, Fig, and Plum
24. Heinz Peanut Butter
25. Heinz Cooked Spaghetti
26. Heinz Cooked Macaroni
27. Heinz Pure Jellies
28. Heinz Apple Butter
29. Heinz Gherkins--Sweet or Sour
29. Heinz Gherkins--Sweet or Sour
30. Heinz Mixed Pickles--Sweet or Sour
31. Heinz Chow Chow Pickle
32. Heinz Sweet Mustard Pickle
33. Heinz Dill Pickles
34. Heinz Fresh Cucumber Pickle
35. Heinz Strained Foods
36. Heinz India Relish
37. Heinz Sandwich Spread
38. Heinz Pickled Onions--Sweet and Sour
39. Heinz Spanish Queen Olives
40. Heinz Stuffed Spanish Olives
41. Heinz Ripe Olives
42. Heinz Pure Spanish Olive Oil
43. Heinz Tomato Ketchup
44. Heinz Chili Sauce
45. Heinz Beefsteak Sauce*
46. Heinz Pepper Sauce--Red or Green
47. Heinz Worcestershire Sauce
48. Heinz Prepared Mustard--Brown or Yellow
49. Heinz Evaporated Horseradish
50. Heinz Mayonnaise
51. Heinz Pure Malt Vinegar
52. Heinz Pure Cider Vinegar
53. Heinz Distilled White Vinegar
54. Heinz Tarragon Vinegar
55. Heinz Rice Flakes
56. Heinz Breakfast Wheat
57. Heinz Tomato Juice
    

So you're wondering, Dude - Did Heinz drive a dumptruck of cash up to the bunker for you to write about them today? Nope. Just wondering. Since I looked it up, thought I'd share. So - there you go.