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From the very beginning, H. J. Heinz did things differently.
He built his business, founded in 1869, on the philosophy that "heart power is better than horsepower." Believing that "kindly care and fair treatment" was the right and moral way to treat employees, rooftop gardens, lunchtime concerts, and weekly manicures for all food handlers were staples at H. J. Heinz. Today, H. J. Heinz products are found on most American tables—and in more than 200 countries. Apparently, there is soundness to the Heinz philosophy that cannot be denied. Safety First Heinz modeled his life and business on his mother's admonition: "Do not live for yourself." His care for his fellow man extended beyond employees. At the turn of the century, botulism in processed food was a common problem in America. Safety standards for processing foods were lacking and, in many cases, nonexistent. From the beginning, H. J. Heinz maintained the highest standards for the processing of all Heinz products. In a stroke of marketing genius, he urged consumers to buy carefully—and advertised Heinz products as "pure" foods. H. J. Heinz (and other family members) was in large part responsible for the creation of the 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act, requiring all food companies to maintain strict safety standards. The Next Generation: Howard Heinz Howard Heinz was the son of H. J. and his wife Sarah. Growing up, Howard spent summers learning the business. His experiences even included stints in the salting house. He attended Yale University, and like many family members to follow, made his mark as both a business and philanthropic leader. One of Howard's most important contributions was the Sarah Heinz House. This community center grew out of a settlement for boys Howard had founded in 1901. Since 1915, this Pittsburgh landmark has offered after-school activities for boys and girls aged seven through 18. A second home to thousands of children, the Sarah Heinz House remains in operation today. During World War I, Howard put his management skills and encyclopedic knowledge of food processing procedures to bear as Pennsylvania's volunteer food conservation director. At the same time, H. J. Heinz mobilized the company in support of the war-bond effort. Howard volunteered his skills again in post-war Europe. He worked closely with war-ravaged European nations to initiate food relief efforts. In 1919, while in the Balkans, he learned of the death of his father. Coincidently, 1919 was also the year the company celebrated its 50th anniversary. Utilizing a bequest from H. J.'s will, Howard, his brother Clifford, and sister Irene renewed their commitment to community by building a gothic revival chapel in honor of their mother at the University of Pittsburgh. Dedicated in 1938, the Heinz Memorial Chapel has provided a beautiful and placid location for prayer and meditation for generations of Pittsburgh natives. Forty Years of Leadership: Jack Heinz Howard Heinz and his wife, Elizabeth Granger Rust Heinz, had two sons: Jack and Rust. Rust, who died tragically at the age of 25, was an automotive designer. Jack, who eventually succeeded his father as head of the company, was fascinated by architecture and, as many family photos prove, a talented photographer. Jack married Joan Diehl; their son, H. J. (John) Heinz III, was born in 1938. Following his father's death in 1941, Jack assumed the company helm. During World War II, the company produced food products desperately needed on both on the home front and on the front lines. The H. J. Heinz Company also produced vital military goods, including glider wings used in the Allied invasion of Europe. Not surprisingly, years of relentless wartime manufacturing efforts resulted in serious air and water pollution in Pittsburgh. Following the Heinz family tradition of community service, Jack helped lead the campaign to clean up and revitalize his hometown. His efforts continued into the 1980s. Jack's active community leadership and his intense interest in the arts led to citywide revival and the creation of a downtown Pittsburgh cultural area. In 1971, his efforts, together with funding from the Heinz family, resulted in the creation of Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts, the home of the Pittsburgh Symphony. He also spearheaded the creation of the Heinz Gallery, located in the Carnegie Museum of Art, in 1988, and the development of the Benedum Center, a two-year restoration of Pittsburgh's historic Stanley Theater. John and Teresa Heinz: Modern Leadership Unfortunately, Jack Heinz died before the opening of the Benedum project. His son, John, however, continued the family's tradition of community support in new and exciting ways. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1971, and later to the U.S. Senate, John spent his legislative career focused on issues related to the elderly, international finance, and aging. He worked diligently to help workers victimized by unfair trade practices, families without health insurance, and many others in need of assistance. John Heinz's reputation as a protector of the environment was established through his involvement in forward-thinking programs. These included "Project 88," which recommended market-based solutions to environmental problems, the Pennsylvania Wilderness Act, and GLOBE, U.S.A. (Global Legislators for a Balanced Environment), of which he was chairman. John and his wife Teresa appreciated beauty in both nature and the arts. Together, they established a fine collection of late 18th- and 19th-century American paintings, as well as 17th-century Northern European still lifes. The Heinz collection of Dutch, Flemish, and other still lifes has been exhibited at the National Gallery of Art and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Tragically, Senator Heinz died in an airplane accident in 1991. Through Teresa Heinz, however, his legacy of activism and caring continues.
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