Washington Atlee Burpee (1858-1915) left medical school in 1876 to establish his own company that specializes in seeds. He created the W. Atlee Burpee & Company (also W. Atlee Burpee Company or "Burpee"), which introduced new, improved seeds for different produce, such as a new cabbage, carrot, lima bean, celery, and others. He first marketed "Iceberg" lettuce in 1894 and started a plant catalogue for farmers in need of seeds. Burpee researched and breeded different vegetables for America's climate and gardens. He passed away in 1915, leaving the company to his son David Burpee.

David continued his father's legacy and started to breed different hybrids of flowers. He ended up creating one of the first-ever White Marigold in 1975. He still researched and breeded different vegatables, creating new variations for tomatoes and cucumbers.

George Ball of George J. Ball, Inc., bought Burpee in 1991, becoming its president, and the company continues to be an innovating force for different types of vegtables, fruits, herbs, and flowers.

Sources:

• Burpee, "Company History", https://www.burpee.com/company-history, accessed April 2022.
• Smithsonian National Postal Museum, "W. Atlee Burpee Company", America’s Mailing Industry virtual exhibit, https://postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibition/america%E2%80%99s-mailing-industry-industry-segments-catalogs-and-the-mail-order-industry/w-atlee, accessed April 2022.