Seems to me that Spam was the invention of the Hormel Co. (meatpackers) around/during WWII. We need someone in Hawaii for input -- I understand it's very popular there and the highest per capita consumption state in USA. At the risk of sounding low class, I have to confess a fondness for a fried Spam sandwich (with mustard on ordinary white bread), but never can eat it because it's unbelievably high in sodium, which I'm not allowed.