Dr. Lloyd Augustus Hall was born in Elgin, Illinois. He received a bachelor of science degree in pharmaceutical chemistry from Northwestern University in 1914 and his master's from the University of Chicago.
Dr. Hall, who had been C.L. Griffith's classmate at Northwestern, became Griffith Laboratories' chief chemist and first technical mastermind. A pioneer in the field of food chemistry, Dr. Hall created many of the food preservative chemicals that are now used to keep food fresh without the loss of flavor. His flash-dried salt crystals, introduced in the 1930s, combined the preservative effect of sodium chloride with the curative action of sodium nitrate. Far superior to any products then available, the crystals helped revolutionize the meat packing industry. Dr. Hall also introduced the use of antioxidants to prevent spoilage of fats and oils in bakery products.
He also proved that black pepper and spices in general, such as ginger and cloves, exposed food to various microbes. This was contrary to the conventional wisdom at the time, which held that the spices acted as preservatives. As a result of his research, he devised a special process known as the ethylene oxide Vacugas treatment, which controls the growth of molds and bacteria while maintaining the appearance, taste and aroma of the spices.
Dr. Hall conducted the majority of his research during his 34-year career at Griffith Laboratories. A prolific technical writer, Dr. Hall obtained numerous patents in the United States and Canada in such wide-ranging areas of inquiry as solid seasoning composition, solid flavoring compounds, edible dusting powder and protective coatings for meats and foodstuffs. Hydrolyzed plant protein, which is an excellent high-value food flavor fortifier, was also developed under his direction.
Dr. Hall has been awarded honorary doctorates from Virginia State University, Howard University and the Tuskegee Institute. On May 1, 2004, he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, a private not-for-profit institution founded in 1973.