Friday, February 24, 2017

The Many Faces Of Listerine...

Some well known products got started as something totally different than intended. Take Listerine for instance.

Listerine



Listerine is a well-known mouthwash brand, but it didn’t begin life as such. Listerine was originally a surgical disinfectant. It was made by the Johnson brothers, who were looking for a way to make surgeries safer and were inspired by English surgeon Sir Joseph Lister. In 1879, they came up with an antiseptic liquid which they called Listerine after Sir Lister. Listerine was advertised and sold as a surgical disinfectant that could also be used to treat wounds, dandruff, athlete’s foot, and even insect bites. In one instance, it was even sold as a deodorant.

The Johnson brothers later teamed up with pharmacist Jordan Wheat Lambert and began selling Listerine to dentists for use as an oral antiseptic. Lambert’s children are responsible for making Listerine into the mouthwash we know today after they asked the company’s chemist to tell them all the things Listerine could be used for. The chemist included bad breath (also called halitosis), and the company began advertising it as such.

I reckon that somethings are worth more than they appear at first. From medicine to mouthwash, Listerine has had a long and colorful run so far. More power to them!

Coffee out on the patio again this morning. That OK?

5 comments:

linda m said...

I thought I had heard about it's start as an antiseptic a long time ago. You just confirmed my thoughts. Would love coffee on the patio. It is raining/thundering right now. Rain will turn into snow later today. Sunshine, warm weather and great company sound good right about now. I'll bring an almond Kringle to share. Have a great weekend.

Momlady said...

I read that it could also be used as a mosquito repellent. Wouldn't recommend it, though. It leaves a sticky residue on the skin. Would love coffee on the patio. Question for Linda M. What is Kringle?

HermitJim said...

Hey Linda...
Amazing how something with such varied uses is still around today. I have a bottle in my bathroom, in fact.
Thanks for stopping by this morning!


Hey Momlady...
I didn't know about the skeeter repellent part. Learned something new today!
Thanks for coming over this morning!

JO said...

No I sure wouldn't put it on me to get rid skeeters wither hate sticky stuff. I have a tiny bottle old bottle of Listerine from way, way back when.

Coffee on the patio sounds good to me, It is freezing here once again. 33 degrees and all 3 heaters are running, so much for all that wonderful weather.

HermitJim said...

Hey Jo...
I don't care for having sticky stuff on me either! I pretty much don't get many skeeter bites anymore.
Thanks, sweetie, for coming by today!