What’s so special about Ball Mason jars and why are they so popular? Mason jars were invented in 1858 by John Landis Mason in Pennsylvania. They were a revolutionary invention because Mason jars have a two-part lid, with a flat rubber seal and threaded ring which screws metal lids onto molded glass jars, creating a vacuum seal that one could use for home canning. Today, we can trace the roots of every container that has a threaded vacuum sealed screw top back to the invention of the Mason jar. Ball is the first, oldest and most widely recognized Mason jar brand in the world. Ball brand Mason jars and are popular today for their many uses, from drinking glasses, soap pumps, juicers, cocktail shakers, oil lamps, candle holders to even vacuum sealed food containers. Made in USA Ball Mason jar.