<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Cookbook: Newtons Media: Newtons </Td> </Tr> <P> Newtons are a Nabisco trademarked version of the fig roll, a pastry filled with fig paste . Their distinctive shape is a characteristic that has been adopted by many competitors including generic fig bars sold in many markets . They are produced by an extrusion process . </P> <P> Until the late 19th century, many physicians believed that most illnesses were related to digestion problems, and recommended a daily intake of biscuits and fruit . Fig rolls were the ideal solution to this advice . They were a locally produced and handmade product until a Philadelphia baker and fig lover, Charles Roser, invented and then patented a machine in 1891 which inserted fig paste into a thick pastry dough . Cambridgeport, Massachusetts--based Kennedy Biscuit Company purchased the Roser recipe and started mass production . The first Fig Newtons were baked at the F.A. Kennedy Steam Bakery in 1891 . The product was named after the city of Newton, Massachusetts . </P> <P> The Kennedy Biscuit Company had recently become associated with the New York Biscuit Company, and the two merged to form Nabisco--after which, the fig rolls were trademarked as Fig Newtons . </P>

Where did the name fig newton come from