The first misconception is that Lou Smith was the founder. He was a cook with a popular mustard recipe, but needed jars to pack it in. His friend, Charles M. Wible, was in the glass business, and, with other associates, founded the company to supply the jars for the mustard.
Other errors are found in the caption
of this photo in both Smith's catalog and
web page.
The man in the center, mis-identified
as Walter Wible, is in fact his brother, Charles Moore Wible.
Lou Smith (right) is correctly identified,
while the man on the left is actually William Smith, long-time factory
manager. They are standing in back of the Smith
factory office.