Alfred Bird 1843
![Alfred Bird Alfred Bird](https://madeupinbritain.uk/britimages/AlfredBird.jpg)
Alfred Bird was born in Nympsfield, Gloucestershire, England in 1811. He invented Baking Powder in 1843.
He was pharmacist and set up a chemist's shop in Birmingham 1837.
![Alfred Bird Baking Powder Alfred Bird Baking Powder](https://madeupinbritain.uk/britimages/AlfredBirdBakingPowder.jpg)
Allergy
Alfred's wife, Lady Bird, was allergic to egg and yeast. Bird had already formulated an egg free custard for his wife , so at his business of Alfred Bird & Sons sought to find a simple raising agent for making bread and pastries without the need for yeast.This formula for baking powder is essentially the same as is used in modern baking powders today.
![Alfred Bird Plaque Alfred Bird Plaque](https://madeupinbritain.uk/britimages/AlfredBirdPlaque.jpg)
Explained
Baking powder is a dry chemical leavening agent, a mixture of a weak alkali and a weak acid, and is used for increasing the volume and lightening the texture of baked goods. Baking powder works by releasing carbon dioxide gas into a batter or dough through an acid-base reaction, causing bubbles in the wet mixture to expand and thus leavening the mixture. It is used instead of yeast.