".....William Procter, a candle maker, and James Gamble, a soap maker, immigrated from England and Ireland respectively. They settled in Cincinnati initially and met when they married sisters, Olivia and Elizabeth Norris. Alexander Norris, their father-in-law, called a meeting in which he persuaded his new sons-in-law to become business partners. On October 31, 1837, as a result of the suggestion, Procter & Gamble was born. Thus, a "powerful free enterprise symbol" was born and would affect the lives of millions in the years ahead" in the manufacture, sales and personal use if it's products....
In 1858-1859, sales reached $1 million. By this point, approximately 80 employees worked for Procter and Gamble. During the American Civil War, the company won contracts to supply the Union Army with soap and candles. In addition to the increased profits experienced during the war, the military contracts introduced soldiers from all over the country to Procter and Gamble products.
In the 1880's, Procter and Gamble began to market a new product, an inexpensive soap that floats in water. The company called the "soap Ivory". William Arnett Procter, William Procter's grandson, began a profit-sharing program for the company's workforce in 1887. By giving the workers a stake in the company, he correctly assumed that they would be less likely to go on strike.
The company began to build factories in other locations in the United States because the demand for products had outgrown the capacity of the Cincinnati facilities. The company's leaders began to diversify its' products as well and, in 1911, began producing Crisco, a shortening made of vegetable oils rather than animal fats. As radio became more popular in the 1920's and 1930's, the company sponsored a number of radio programs. As a result, these shows often became commonly known as "soap operas"....The company moved into other countries, both in terms of manufacturing and product sales, becoming an international corporation with its' 1930 acquisition of the Thomas Hedley Co., based in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Procter and Gamble maintained a strong link to the Northeast of England after this acquisition....
"Procter and Gamble has a rich history". "The following photographs emphasize how this Fortune 500 and worldwide corporation has progressed from it's essential humble beginnings into the powerful symbol that it has become in today's business world"!!!"
"An Ohio Historical Marker located re/headquarters downtown Cincinnati"
"The grave stone of William Procter, co-founder,1801-1884, Procter & Gamble"
"The grave markers for James Gamble, co-founder, 1803-1891, Procter & Gamble"
"The original Procter and Gamble Ivory Soap Factory, today owned by the St. Bernard Soap Company, an independent soap company in Cincinnati, Ohio"
"The original Gamble House, built in 1875 by James Norris Gamble, son of James Gamble, is boarded up & saving efforts underway by Westwood Historical Society"
"Procter and Gamble worldwide headquarters--Towers I & II - Odd shaped buildings located in a park type setting in heart of downtown Cincinnati, Ohio". 17 floors and finished in 1985 & numerous other locations Cincinnati Area"
".....The Procter and Gamble Co. introduced numerous new products and brand names over time". The company introduced "Tide" laundry detergent in 1946 and "Prell" shampoo in 1947. In 1955, Procter and Gamble began selling the first toothpaste to contain fluoride, known as Crest". Branching out once again in 1957, the company purchased Charmin Paper Mills and began manufacturing toilet paper and other paper products. Once again focusing on laundry, Procter and Gamble began making "Downy" fabric softener in 1960 and "Bounce fabric softener sheets in 1972. One of the most revolutionary products to come out on the market was the company's "Pampers", first test-marketed in 1961.
Procter and Gamble acquired a number of other companies that diversified it's product lines and significantly increased it's profits. These acquisitions included "Folgers Coffee", "Norwich Eaton Pharmaceuticals (the makers of Pepto Bismol)", "Richardson-Vicks", "Noxell (Noxema)", "Shulton's Old Spice", "Max Factor", and the "Iams Company", among others. "Needless to say. some very significant acquisitions"...
This Writer acknowledges the helpful text of "Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia"..Procter and Gamble revenues approached $78.938 billion in fiscal year 2010..."Fortune Magazine has ranked Procter and Gamble as the 5th most admired company in the magazine's list of most admired companies in the world"...You can contact Procter & Gamble Headquarters @ Plaza Tower I, Emporis bldg. # 122094, 520-532 Broadway, zipcode 45202, Central Business District One (center), Cincinnati, Ohio USA.....
More Procter & Gamble photos can be found in the Gallery Photos!
