Hendrik Berk Van Kampen began working in 1851, making milk churns and pots and stuff, but it was really his son Johannes in 1891 who had the genius idea to add the protective enamel layer, leading to the introduction of the quintessential Dutch oven in 1926. BK continued to tweak and perfect their products over the next few decades before being awarded the Royal Predicate by her Majesty Queen Juliana in 1951, meaning they can now refer to themselves as “the Royal Founder of the Dutch oven.” And the innovation continues straight through to today.

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