The system was developed in 1915 in Melbourne, Australia, by Joseph Fowler (28 February 1888 – 24 April 1972),[2] who migrated from England in 1912, at his home in Hawthorn, Victoria,[3] and became very popular.
During the canning process, while still hot (and presumably sterile), the lids are secured by metal tension clips which are removed once cooled and a vacuum seal has formed.
[4] Other equipment marketed by the company included a large electrically heated waterbath and "sterilizing thermometer", a glass thermometer mounted on a concave stainless steel backing, graduated in both degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit.
[5] Used equipment is frequently sold on online auction sites and in opportunity shops.
Fowlers Vacola specialises in bottling jams and other foods at its manufacturing plant in Sydney.