Bread & Butter pickles were first trademarked in the 1920s by Omar and Cora Fanning, a couple who lived in Illinois and grew fresh cucumbers, but the recipe itself is likely much older than that. The story goes that the Fannings would sometimes barter their 'sweet and sour pickles' in exchange for essentials like bread and butter during difficult times. Another explanation of the unique name is that the 'bread and butter pickles' were good enough to eat with nothing more than bread and butter with them. From what I can tell, it was Omar who did the pickling in the family with his mother-in-law's recipe, and the pickles got noticed at a church potluck. After recognizing the interest in the pickles, Omar was able to grow a business around them that was eventually sold and branded Mrs. Fanning's Bread and Butter Pickles, probably in a branding attempt to sound more domestic.