Margarine (/ˈmɑrdʒərɨn/, /ˈmɑrɡərɨn/, /ˈmɑrdʒrɨn/, /ˈmɑrdʒəriːn/, or /mɑrdʒəˈriːn/) is an imitation butter spread used for spreading, baking, and cooking. It was originally created from beef tallow and skimmed milk in 1869 in France by Hippolyte Mège-Mouriès, as a result of a challenge proposed by Emperor Napoleon III to create a substitute for butter for the armed forces and lower classes.