Sir, Smiths crisps (letters, Jan 12 and 13) were first sold in the Cricklewood area of London in 1921, by Frank Smith. The company was originally known as Carters. The salt twist was introduced into the packets around 1925, in an effort to improve sales to pubs, as publicans believed that salted crisps would increase their sales of beer. The first factory was built in Cricklewood. The building still exists by the side of the North Circular Road close to Staples Corner, and is easily recognisable by its distinctive architecture. The same design was used for all the original Smiths factories, in such places as Lincoln and Great Yarmouth.
Smiths was taken over by General Mills Inc., in 1976, and then sold to Associated Biscuits, Reading, in 1979. Associated Biscuits was itself taken over by Nabisco Inc, in 1982. Nabisco sold Smiths to Frito Lay (Pepsico), who had previously bought Walkers Crisps in 1984. Walkers took all the famous Smiths brand names as its own, with the exception of Smiths Salt ‘n’ Shake, a brand that was developed from the original concept of the salt twist.
It is a little known fact that Smiths still sold unsalted crisps right up until 1968. These were sold to hospitals, which even in those days recognised salt as a potential danger to patients.
Unfortunately, apart from Salt ‘n’ Shake, little is left of Smiths, although all former employees readily recognise the many snacks developed by their company that are still sold in vast quantities, but under different names. To see the original 1920s diamond pack design, one has to go to Australia, where it is still used under the Smiths name and is a popular brand of crisps.
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PAUL SMITH,
Fingest, Bucks
Sir, Salt was not the only item put in packets of Smiths crisps. During the last war, many young women on the production line would include scraps of paper with their name and address, inviting the recipient, often a member of HM Services, to contact them.
Most became pen pals, and some made personal contact. It is said that the liaison sometimes resulted in marriage.
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ERIC KATELEY
Walron-on-the-Naze, Essex