Around forty years ago, Gail Borden, a civil engineer with New England roots, had an innovative concept: to evaporate milk in a vacuum until it transformed into a more solid state, allowing it to be preserved in sealed tin cans. Having spent considerable time in Texas, he recognized the urgent need for a product like this and set out to explore his idea. For eighteen years, Borden dedicated himself to perfecting milk condensation. Although he succeeded in the technical process, turning it into a viable business proved difficult. Many in his community found his aspirations laughable, dubbing him “crazy Uncle Gail” for his unusual pursuits. However, the tide began to change when his son, John G. Borden, grew up to assist in both invention and financing, enabling Gail's vision to eventually prosper. Gail remained hopeful during the long wait for his enterprise to take off. Once John was ready to manage the financial side, Borden's invention exploded in popularity. From humble beginnings, the company expanded to include six large milk condensing plants around the nation, with one factory in New York alone consuming 33,000 quarts of milk each day and producing 10,000 pounds of condensed milk. Borden’s condensed milk gained international notoriety, being taken on explorers’ journeys to the North Pole and used in diverse regions across the globe. Despite facing skepticism throughout the years, “crazy Uncle Gail” lived to see his dream realized, leaving a lasting impact on society. Visitors to Borden’s plants are struck by the factory’s extraordinary cleanliness, a principle instilled by Gail Borden and upheld by his son. The production process involves boiling milk with granulated sugar in shining copper tanks. Extreme cleanliness is prioritized, with strict regulations governing both the factory and the dairy farms that supply the milk. The method of production is precise, requiring nearly five pounds of fresh milk to yield one pound of condensed product. Farmers supplying Borden’s factory must follow strict hygiene standards to ensure only the finest milk is used. At the factory, every batch of milk undergoes individual inspection, with frequent evaluations of the farms to guarantee sanitary conditions. Borden’s operations highlight the significance of cleanliness and health, guaranteeing that both their facilities and the farms meet rigorous standards, securing their legacy as pioneers in milk condensation. Today the factory remains only as standing walls. However, there is active work undergoing to renovate the factory and turn it into a community center.