Alfred Bird
registered as a pharmacist in Birmingham in 1842, having served an
apprenticeship to Phillip Harris of Birmingham. He was a
qualified
chemist and druggist.
Elizabeth,
his wife, was allergic to eggs and couldn't eat home-made custard, so
in 1837, Bird invented an egg-free custard, supplied in powdered form.
Advertising started around 1875 and Bird's Custard quickly became
renowned as a wholesome and nutritious food.
Bird
later went on to invent baking powder, which revolutionised home
baking. His company's large Birmingham Custard Factory
survives, and is now an arts centre. Alfred Bird is buried at Key Hill
Cemetery in Birmingham.
Situated
in Digbeth, The Custard Factory sits in 5 acres of factory buildings
which were originally built by Sir Alfred Frederick, the son of Alfred
Bird. At its peak over one thousand people would have worked here.
Birds
Custard moved to Banbury in the 1960's and the buildings were
redeveloped in 1992 to provide 145 units for artists and
designers.
Now
an arts and media centre it houses a community of 500 artists and
creative groups who have access to affordable work space and facilities.
