Graham Crackers Invented To Stop Masturbation!

Do you like Graham Crackers? You may be shocked to learn the history behind their creation. It turns out that Graham Crackers were invented by a man named Reverend Sylvester Graham in the early 1800s to quell the evils of masturbation, which he believed led to blindness and early death. Yes, you read that correctly!

WHO WAS REVEREND SYLVESTER GRAHAM?

Graham was an American Presbyterian minister who was convinced that sexual urges were making people physically ill and leading to depravity. To combat these addictions and the moral decay of America, he advocated for a simple diet that included Graham Crackers. He believed that the bland taste of the crackers would discourage people from thinking about sex.

WHY WAS THE GRAHAM CRACKER INVENTED?

While Graham Crackers were invented to curb addictions such sinful behaviors such as masturbation and impure thoughts, the history of goes much deeper than you would ever imagine.

As Reverend Graham’s fame spread, “Grahamism” became a movement, and people inspired by his preaching began to develop and market Graham Flour, Graham Bread, and Graham Crackers.  The mass production of Graham Crackers allowed people from all over the United States to purchase them at their local market.

REVEREND SYLVESTER GRAHAM THE “FATHER OF VEGETARIANISM?

Reverend Graham ran health retreats in the 1830s, promoting a bland diet that banned sugar and meat.  His diet was somewhat revolutionary at the time.  Graham’s views planted the seed of Veganism in America.  But he didn’t just cut sugar from his diet, he actively refrained from the simple pleasure of caffeine, tea, spices, seasoning, butter, and literally anything else that tasted good.

In addition to Graham Crackers, Reverend Graham is also credited with founding one of the first Vegetarianism movements in the United States and is regarded by some as the “Father of Vegetarianism”.  In 1850, Alcott, William Metcalfe, Russell Trall, and Graham founded the American Vegetarian Society in New York City.

REVEREND GRAHAM’S IRONIC DEATH

Reverend Graham’s death in 1851 is subject to much speculation.

Historian Stephen Nissenbaum says that Graham died “after violating his own strictures by taking liquor and meat in a last desperate attempt to recover his health”. The New England Historical Society, however, claims that he died “after receiving opium enemas on his doctor’s orders.”

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