In 1914, the British War Office made a huge order with Reading-based biscuit (cookie) makers Huntley & Palmers. This order was not for any average sweet treat, however, but for a key ration for the army’s fight ahead. Huntley & Palmers response was a dense, square brick of nothing more than flour, salt, and water. Huntley & Palmers were able to cheaply produce these stocky slabs, given the fittingly plain name of Army No.4, all the way up to a year before the war’s conclusion, surpassing their expected contract by…
