.
Joseph Lister was indisputably the sole discoverer of antisepsis using carbolic acid, the real discoverer of ether anesthesia is one of the most contentious issues in medical history. (Ver)
The history of LISTERINE® goes back more than 130 years, to the beginnings of modern medicine.
It all started in 1860, with the work of Sir Joseph Lister.
The English doctor and surgeon was at that time applying the theories of the famous scientist Louis Pasteur: theories according to which invisible germs could be the cause of numerous infections.
In 1865, Sir Joseph Lister became the first surgeon to carry out an operation in a chamber sterilised by pulverising antiseptic in the air. During the 19th century this resulted in a significant fall in mortality rates in patients.
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J.Lister performing surgery ©Warner-Lambert |
A man to be remembered
In 1876, following a conference on his research activities, Sir Joseph Lister drew attention to the work of two men who were to play an active part in the history of LISTERINE®:
-
Doctor Joseph Lawrence, creator of the brand
- Robert Wood Johnson, founder of the Johnson & Johnson group which markets the product today
Two men, one aim: to modernise surgical practice …
In 1879, Doctor Joseph Lawrence created a unique formulation in his laboratories, inspired by the research of Sir Joseph Lister, and called it LISTERINE®.
He then formed a partnership with the pharmacist Jordan Wheat Lambert, and together they created the Lambert Pharmaceutical Company.
In this company they produced and sold LISTERINE®, used as a disinfectant in operating theatres and as a solution for bathing wounds.
Today…
LISTERINE® is used today as a daily mouthwash. Our product is aimed at improving oral hygiene for everyone, by supplementing the brushing action.
LISTERINE® has been taken up by more than a billion people throughout the world.(
Ver)
Lambert Pharmaceutical Company (one of the predecessors of
Warner-Lambert,
which was later acquired by Pfizer)
developed a mouth-
wash in the 1880s
as a general oral antiseptic for relief of bad breath.
How-
ever, the product did not take off
until it was branded as Listerine
(after
Lister) in the 1920s.
Lambert Pharmaceutical Company
grew 40 times in
7 years
thanks to the popularity of Listerine.
Some of Lister’s family members
are still receiving royalties
from the profits of Listerine.
A similar oral
antiseptic
was marketed with the brand name Pasteurine.
Somehow it
never caught on.
(Ver)