In 1858, the first Mason jar was patented by tinsmith John L. Mason (born in Vineland, 1832) and made by the Crowley Glassworks of Burlington County.

Mason’s 2nd patent was a machine that could cut threads into a glass jar’s lip. This made screw-on zinc lids possible. A rubber ring completed the seal.

Two very early mason jars, and a wooden model (which I assume was made for the patent application).

There was an amazing variety of closures for these jars, and shapes:

And finally, they all came together on a 6ft tall rounded shelving unit, in the show "Pine Barrens: Life and Legends" 

The size of the lettering on the jars varied: larger print was further from eye-level, with the largest being the ones on the Conahasey Aquifer jars. The bottom layers held sand. After the exhibit was finished, Stockton College asked to have the jars on permanent display. Most of the top five shelves of jars fit into the double-sided indoor window opening: 

There were 2 more pieces that I worked on for that show, and you'll see them next.