Unusable Packaging from Gerber

Gerber has been producing baby food for a very long time, taking into consideration dietary needs of infants, and the needs of parents. They have consistently produced a quality product, in near-perfect packaging, trusted throughout much of the world.

Indeed, very little thought was given to the packaging of this product, until recently. Sealed in a small glass jar with a screw-on lid, it contained legible and consistent labeling. It was compact, easy to open, and just about the right serving size for most infants.

Glass jars break though. That was the only problem with the packaging. Everyone knew it, and Gerber spent some time researching the issue to confirm that point. According to David Yates, Senior Vice President for Gerber, “Three years of market research indicate 70% of consumers, for convenience reasons, would prefer to buy baby food packaged in plastic.”

A plastic container for food items such as this are a great alternative, but only if they are designed with a mind towards usability throughout the lifecycle. Leading manufacturers around the world have worked hard to develop and implement easy to use packaging for food and drink, using recyclable plastics.

Ignoring years of research and development, Gerber followed a different path. Their team developed packaging for their product that seemingly ignored some of the most basic rules of consumer usability. Although, it does appear to satisfy the usability needs of retailers.

Retail distributors desire packaging that is easy to handle, stacks nicely on store shelves, and is not easily broken. The new Gerber Baby Food package meets that demand perfectly, while providing a stable storage environment for the contents, and it is recyclable. Usability for the consumer stops there.

The new plastic design comes in a cardboard wrapper surrounding two containers of food. It stacks nicely on store shelves or within a pantry but is inadequate for one container alone. It is designed to hold two containers, and lacking one of them, it is oftentimes discarded or lost.

The cardboard wrapper is clearly labeled with all data that typically appeared on the glass jar labels. However, the plastic containers are rarely labeled, creating confusion about their contents should they become separated from said wrapper.

Sometimes, the plastic containers display legible markings, defining the contents. As coded values in small print, they are not conducive to quick comprehension. Numerous other codes, dates, and the Gerber phone number appear too. The containers are not usually labeled at all though, or the print is faded or otherwise illegible.

The plastic container is opaque, enabling the consumer to see the general coloration of the product. It is sealed with a foil-type top, and capped with a plastic lid, seemingly for storing and/or transporting any unused contents. This lid does not fit tight though, easily falling off and spilling.

Proudly displaying the Gerber log and promotional comments, the foil-type seal on the plastic container ensures the contents will remain fresh beyond the suggested Sell-By date. It also ensures that one cannot open the container with one hand or sometimes, even two. Oftentimes, an additional implement is required to break into the packaging.

Gerber seriously failed consumers in the design of this packaging. Using the old glass jars, one could easily open the package, while holding a squirming infant. The labeling was always clear and legible. The contents could be re-sealed and stored or transported, without fear of spillage. The new packaging meets none of those basic consumer needs.

This mistake is easily remedied, but over the last 15 years Gerber has ignored consumers, and steadfastly refused to adjust the usability of this packaging. It is disappointing, but not surprising.

The technology to produce a screw-type plastic lids that seal in contents has been in use throughout much of the product world for quite a few decades now. One only needs to look at the typical drink bottle. If designed correctly, the foil seal would not be needed at all, eliminating another source of frustration. Producing a label for this product or at minimum, using legible and print on a plastic container, is another point already addressed by manufacturers all over the world.

In the meantime, it is easy enough to avoid the Gerber Baby Food packaging dilemma. There are alternatives that have not compromised usability and consumer happiness in favor of saving a few bucks on packaging.

BeechNut still packages their product the same way they always have. They are organic too, along with Earth’s Best, to name just a few. Another alternative is to do what many others have already done and just make and package your own. Gerber is not doing anything special that is not easily reproduced.

This is one of many recent discoveries related to baby products that I hope to write more about. If you enjoyed this story, pass it along. If you agree with it, tell Gerber how simple usability analysis might help them produce better packaging for their product.

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originally written for and published in The UX Blog

Exploring Buckeye Greenway

An afternoon hike along the bluff near Buckeye Creek

Recent discovery, and a brief hike of a relatively new area in town, led to a return trip this weekend to the Buckeye Greenway. Clear skies and a mild temperature of 15 °C made for a perfect day to explore this new trail.

The Milan Avenue access of the approximately 74-acre park hosts a new pedestrian bridge crossing the Buckeye Creek, providing access to hiking throughout the adjacent bluff line and drainage features.

Another older pedestrian bridge crosses the creek again about a hundred yards to the southeast, where two meanders are quickly closing in on one another. It should be interesting to watch that evolve.

Along the way to that bridge, a couple of different trails run up into the nearby hillside and bluff. Taking the first, wanders approximately 2.5 km of the associated drainage area, to within sight of MO-210 and back.  

A few other paths splintered in other directions, but seem likely to only be shortcuts to the same main packed earth trail. There are no trail markers, but it is rather apparent in December, and easily traversed. It could be a challenge to navigate this forest in summer. The path is narrow in many places, and the undergrowth, likely intense at the height of the growing season.

A weird little concrete bunker sticks out of the hillside in ones spot. It kind of resembles a bus stop. Someone even went to the trouble of building a little wooden bench inside. It is definitely a curiosity in the landscape.



Further up, a tiny wooden bridge embedded deep in the undergrowth crosses near the creek (pictured in title). Follow one path down into the creek bed from there, or follow another along the little bluff line, and back to the bridge.  The park is currently undergoing some renovation efforts over the next several years, though nothing seemed to be in the works on this visit.

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Further Reading

Buckeye Greenway Park
Kansas City, MO Parks & Recreation

A Little Nature in Parkville

A post-Thanksgiving stroll through the Woods

We headed out for an afternoon hike away from the shopping crowds just after Thanksgiving. Weather equally aqually as temperate as the year before at 15 C, the sun beamed out of sunny blue skies again this November, in our new post-Thanksgiving tradition.

The option to travel a few hours out of town was off the table, but this little spot is within easy reach, less than 15 km away. The Parkville Nature Sanctuary wildlife preserve and educational site is developed and maintained by the City of Parkville and various volunteers. It covers 115 acres and hosts nearly 5 km of trails.

A good portion of the land was once land used by Park College, enabling students to literally work their way through school. They milked cows, tended orchards and gardens, in support of the college and the student body, in a bit of a self-sustaining community.

We followed the larger loop, which includes the White Tail and Old Kate trails, about 3.5 km. The trek passes along ridges of suburban forest, and wanders down into the wetlands below the nearby dam. 

The White Tail trail is a more traditional packed earth and stone path, following the ridgeline around and down into the valley. The remainder of the trails are wide, gravel covered or wood decking.

The White Alloe Creek cascade is easily accessible by way of the Old Kate Trail, though is likely a more beautiful sight to see when the Spring rains come.

Located right in the middle of downtown Parkville, it is an interesting little escape from the city, and perfect just about any age or skill level. The suburban McMansions can sometimes be seen through the trees in the fall, along with the buzz of nearby traffic heard primarily near the trailhead. Deep along the trail, it all kind of fades away though.

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Further Reading

Parkville Nature Sanctuary
City of Parkville

Return to Wet Mountains

A road trip across Kansas to southeast Colorado

Intent on making the jump to Florence in one day, we followed an unusual path on this excursion, enduring the insanity of I-70 and the endless prairie of Kansas. Both are a test of endurance, no matter how you slice it.

The singular intentional stop for the day quickly arrived and in no time, we were exploring an odd little place along our route. Or rather, I was exploring. My comrade left her hiking shoes in the car, so stood on the edge and took photos from above.

Paint Mines Interpretive Park is fun little spot with a colorful geology, and 6.5 km of trails that wander through the various colorful spires and hoodoos. Just a couple of kilometers off US-24, it is the perfect place to take a break from the road.

We only lingered an hour or so and were quickly on our way to our destination for the day. Rush hour in Colorado Springs gave us a fit with an endless parade of signal lights, along with a multitude of drivers unaware anyone else was out on the road, but we made it to Florence just in time for dinner.

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A look around the nearby Wet Mountains filled the agenda the next day. Our host and guide needed to break down his camp from earlier in the week, and had a couple of things to show us. We also wanted to stop and visit Mr. Bishop at his castle first.

It is always amazing to see the progress on this colossal masterpiece high amidst the San Isabel National Forest. He continues his work personally, laying everyone stone himself, but usually has a little Bobcat assistance these days.

From there, we headed out to the western slope of the range, just beneath St Charles peak, for a panoramic look at the Sangre de Cristo range. There is usually quite a view, but recent fires in the west have caused a bit of a haze.

The air was crisp and clean here at 3 km above sea level, and only a little cool at about 10° C. Aspens were just beginning to turn, and offered splashes of yellow here and there. The mountains were only beginning to settle in for the winter.

Wandering back along the way we had come, we drifted through a path of destruction in the high forest. Sometimes in patches, but most in wide swaths, trees were laid over like so many toothpicks blown over. Serious winds have flown through here, perhaps of the microburst variety.

The camp site was just around the bend, in a high alpine meadow near St Charles peak false summit. The setting for a cooking up a little lunch break could not have been more perfect. Indeed, leaving such a peaceful setting was difficult. There was work to be done though, and we were expected back at the ranch that evening.

Getting back took a little longer than expected, and involved dodging quite a few other vehicles. It was the last weekend for black powder hunting, and it seemed everyone was headed up into the hills to try their luck.

The evening was as casual as the day had been. We made a trip to town for a little BBQ and brew, but were nearly thwarted by a hairy-legged monster obstructing our path. It did not seem to want anything more than to be photographed and be on its way, fortunately.

Good company and the quiet solitude of rural life in the shadow of the Wet Mountains filled the remainder of the evening. Stars twinkling against a fantastic view of the Milky Way, along with the occasional coyote yelp are a backdrop one could easily get used accustomed to, without any effort at all.

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We lounged around the ranch the following day, visiting and generally enjoying the company of folks do not get to see nearly enough.

Late in the afternoon, we ran down to the local golf course to aid in the reduction of the mole population. This learning experience will come extremely useful in addressing the problem in our own environment.

Otherwise, we simply watched the evening sun fade away beyond the mountain tops. Stars were few that night, obliterated by increasing clouds, but the stillness and occasional coyote yelp remained.

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We begrudgingly pointed our vehicle easterly the following day, in the general direction of home. Making the trek back across CO-96/KS-96 was a greater chore than we had imagined. Last year, it seemed perfect on the way out to Colorado. It is much harder going back the other way though.

The road is somewhat interesting for a little while, but that ends somewhere between Olney Springs and Sugar City, quickly fading to monotony sometime near Eads. We were anxious to get to our diversionary break that day, even though it promised more of the same flat and empty landscape.

The Sand Creek Massacre National Historic site lies just to the east of all of that, close to the Kansas border, near the edge of mental collapse. We were so happy to finally arrive, in more ways than one. There had not been an open facility for many miles. We listened avidly to the brief talk the ranger greeted us with, and eagerly inquired of the facilities, which we acquired access to post-haste.

Relieved, time was no longer quite so pressing. A short hike led us to an overlook of the battlefield (if one can really call it that). The documentation seems to indicate a slaughter of innocents by a soulless commander. This is truly one of those embarrassing points in American military history, preserved to help future generations understand what is and what is not acceptable.

The road consumed our life for the rest of the day. Flat, straight, and unwavering, it can be rather hypnotizing. More than anything else, it is a drain on the soul. It might be good to live out there, far away from civilization, but passing through is nearly intolerable.

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After a night of rest from the road in Great Bend, we were back at it again, with a few stops scheduled to ensure we were not consumed with utter boredom. The first was just a little way up the road, and the second, closer to home.

We noticed Mushroom Rock State Park on our pass through last year, read a little about the spot since that time, and thought it might be an interesting diversion. It is, for about 15 minutes. There is not a lot to see there. A couple of solitary hoodoos scattered around a field also littered with an amazing number of butterflies.

The Heritage Center in Abilene served up quite a bit more fun, with a carousel and a bit of a living history museum. We jumped on board the 1901 Parker Carousel for a ride, but only casually looked about the museum artifacts. Knowing there would be other occasions, we wanted to save a little for the next adventure west.

After that excitement, and grappling with the thought of staring down another 240 km of Kansas, it was time for a little ice cream. The woman at the carousel recommended Bankes Soda Fountain, what turned out to be a great little old-style drug store type of situation.

With a butterscotch malt under my belt, and a cherry malt in the tummy of my comrade, we faced the vehicular population of I-70 with a greater degree of confidence. While no more interesting than before, a parade of billboards, and dodging the occasional vehicle generally helps to keep one more aware.

As with the last trip, we dropped through Lawrence for a little sustenance. The Free State Brewery was closed for some reason or another, forcing us towards other options. Jefferson’s turned out a perfect alternative, serving up a great burger, with a side of refreshment from the closed brewhaus down the street. Suddenly, the 75 km home was less daunting.

USS Constitution Comes Home

Action between U.S. Frigate Constitution and HMS Java, 29 December 1812 — Oil Painting by Charles Robert Patterson

Missing in action from Pier 1 of the former Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston, for two long years, the oldest commissioned and fully functioning warship in the world, returns in late July of 2017!

One of six of designed by Joshua Humphreys, and commissioned by the Naval Act of 1794, the three-mast wooden-hulled heavy frigate came more heavily armed and constructed than standard ships of the period.

Launched in 1797, the USS Constitution almost immediately assumed her first duty protecting American merchants during conflict with France, and the Barbary pirates during the First Barbary War.

The first victory at sea by USS Constitution over HMS Guerriere by Anton Otto Fischer

The USS Constitution is probably most famous for action during the war in 1812 against Britain, when her crew captured and defeated numerous other British warships.

During that war, in the battle against the HMS Guerriere, the ship earned the nickname “Old Ironsides,” when the crew noticed shots from the British ship simply bounced off.

The ship served many more years in battle after that, as flagship in the Mediterranean and African fleets into the 1840s, and as a training ship during the Civil War. She also carried freight to the Paris World Fair of 1878. Retiring from active service in 1881, the vessel continued light work until designation as a museum in 1907.

Efforts to restore the ship to full glory continued through to 1931. In spite of doubts by the Secretary of the Navy, recommissioned with a full crew, she began a multi-port tour of the United States from Maine to Washington, by way of the Panama Canal.

Navy Bandsman blowing colors for USS Constitution at Washington, DC - Official US Navy Photograph, US National Archives

Old Ironsides returned to port in Boston and received numerous visitors over the years. The ship deteriorated though, requiring extensive restoration work again, but lacking funding.

President Roosevelt placed the ship on permanent commission in 1940, somewhat protecting the ship from further decay, and assigned her to serve as a brig for officers awaiting court-martial.

True consideration towards restorative funding did not come until the 1970s, in preparation for the US Bicentennial Celebrations. Indeed, an entire tract of land in Indiana was set aside to supply the white oak needed for repair work.

The ship sailed again in 1976, leading a parade of tall ships through Boston Harbor for Operation Sail, firing her guns for the first time in over 100 years.

USS Constitution renders a 21-gun salute to the nation from her on board guns - US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Airman Nick Lyman

One of the most comprehensive reconstruction occurred again in the 1990s, and she sailed under her own power for her 200th birthday in 1997, and then again in 2012 commemorating her namesake victory over the HMS Guerriere.

In May 2015, US Navy engineers carefully moved the ship to its dry dock home again for an extensive and exacting restoration project.

The precarious task of moving her seemingly took forever, sometimes an inch at a time, during a hand-held operation using ropes and tugboats in precise timing with the tides.

Constitution Grove in Indiana again provided the needed white oak plank replacements. A team of experts resealed the entire hull, replaced copper sheeting and anything else in disrepair, all while the ship remained open to the public, though in a limited capacity.

With restoration efforts complete, the USS Constitution returns to stand tall at Pier 1 of the former Charlestown Navy Yard, marking the end of the Freedom Trail in Boston on July 23 and 24, 2017.

A crew of 60 active-duty US Navy officers and sailors continue serving in what is considered one of the most honorable special duty assignments. They aid her ongoing mission to promote the understanding of the US Navy role in war and peace, through educational outreach, historic representation, and active participation in public events as part of the Navel History & Heritage Command.

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further reading

USS Constitution to go Back Afloat

Charleston Patriot-Bridge