The process of hydrogenation first began around the 1890's by nobel winning Paul Sabatier. Later it was used to hydrogenate liquid oils, which made the oils solid (like margarine). About 100 years after it's creation (1911) the first ever hydrogenated shortening was produced, Crisco. And in order to promote their product, the company distributed free cookbooks that required shortening, but not any shortening, Crisco shortening. Consequently, sales exploded.

Currently many countries are in the process of banning trans fats entirely from public restaurant use. They have also taken steps to help aware the public, such forcing companies to put the quantity of trans fat on the nutrition label (if it is above 0.5g).

What are the future goals you may ask? This is quite a simple question to answer. Ban trans fats all together. However we might be a ways away, we are on the correct path to get there