Ohio inventions and firsts · Company innovation · 1837
Procter & Gamble founded
Candlemaker William Procter and soapmaker James Gamble formed P&G on October 31, 1837; Union Army contracts spread the brand nationally and later products included Ivory, Crisco, Tide and Crest (1955).
At a glance
- Year
- 1837
- Company
- Procter & Gamble
- Place
- Cincinnati, Hamilton County ZIP 45202 · Cincinnati · Hamilton County
The story
In the 1830s Cincinnati was a major meatpacking town, and its packers produced lots of fat. Candlemakers and soapmakers both used it. William Procter, a candlemaker from England, and James Gamble, a soapmaker from Ireland, married sisters Olivia and Elizabeth Norris. Their father-in-law, Alexander Norris, encouraged them to join forces.
They formed Procter and Gamble in 1837 in Cincinnati. By 1858 and 1859, sales reached $1 million with about 80 employees. During the Civil War the company supplied the Union Army with soap and candles, which raised profits and made the brand known across the country.
Later hits include Ivory soap in the 1880s, Crisco in 1911, Tide in 1946 and Pampers in 1961. The company is still headquartered in Cincinnati, with five divisions covering beauty, grooming, health care, fabric and home care, and baby, feminine and family care.
Timeline
- 1837: William Procter and James Gamble form their partnership. (Cincinnati, OH) source
- 1858-1859: Sales reach $1 million with about 80 employees. (Cincinnati, OH) source
- 1861-1865: P&G supplies the Union Army with soap and candles. (Cincinnati, OH) source
- 1911: Crisco is introduced. (Cincinnati, OH) source
- 1946: Tide is introduced. (Cincinnati, OH) source
- 1961: Pampers is introduced. (Cincinnati, OH) source
What it changed
- Sales reached $1 million by 1859.
- Ivory, Crisco, Tide and Pampers all came from the Cincinnati company.
Why it matters
One of the largest consumer-goods companies.
Further reading
Sources
Confidence. High: the main facts were confirmed in sources we opened.
