Who Is Arthur Ling?

 

Pictures of Arthur Ling (1919-2005), who had been the Founding Director of Plamil Foods Ltd, and a president of the Vegan Society, grace the Plamil stall at the London Vegan Festival (2005).

Sometimes we hear talk of the power of one person to change society. Here's a very good example of a person who had a great deal of influence based on uncompromising principles.

Ling was anti-war, egalitarian, a lover of the outdoors, and an active Naturist. Ling is known especially for introducing the first plant-derived vegan milk in Britain.

The life that led to that accomplishment was phenomenal:

Ling became a vegan at the age of seven (in 1926, when veganism wasn't yet a word) after seeing a fish killed at the seaside. Greatly encouraged by a lecture given in 1938 titled Health Without Dairy Produce, Ling would work at the London Vegetarian Society, and by the 1950s was an active member of the Vegan Society, created by Donald Watson and colleagues in 1944.

Ling's creativity was also in evidence in early attempts to promote the idea of producing biodeisel from sunflowers.

Ling's interest in producing a non-dairy milk led to the success of Plantmilk Ltd, which later became Plamil Foods Ltd. In 1965 the company was distributing its soybean milk. As can be expected, Plamil did much to advance people's commitment to veganism and still does, by distributing a popular line of pure vegetarian chocolates, and egg-free mayonnaise, and alternatives to milk. So on your travels, if you see Plamil products stocked in Britain, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Holland, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Portugal, or Hong Kong, you'll know the story of their invention.

Reference: http://www.plamilfoods.co.uk/arthurling.htm