Beer History: Origin of the Growler

So this one is going to be tough. Maybe some of you out there have some input. Beer Advocate is a good place to start I think. The Alström Bros wrote up their take on the Origin of the Growler. Here are some other links that might help paint the picture.

• The Big Apple
• Beer Nexus

The two prevailing stories are that growlers used to be metal beer pails used to transport beer to workers and or to a person's home and that a certain packaging company created the glass version of the growler. Some mention of the origin of the word being rooted in growling stomachs of hungry workers or growling pails of carbonated beer is discussed as well.