Author Archives: Jessica

Sozodont was a popular brand of oral hygiene product from the mid-nineteenth century to the early twentieth century, according to American Druggist, 1889.  Created in 1859 by druggist Roswell van Buskirk (1824–1902) of New Jersey, it derived its name from … Continue reading →

Kemp’s Balsam was a cough medicine that was successfully marketed by Orator Frank Woodward, a business man in Le Roy, New York. After the small success of his own inventions, Woodward bought the rights to several patent medicines from their … Continue reading →

According to Douglas M. Steiner, E-Z Stove Polish was manufactured in Chicago in 1895 by brothers William and Darwin Martin. The Martin & Martin company made shoe polish and stove polish and lasted until at least 1938. The most notable … Continue reading →

According to Wikipedia, “Pluto Water was a trademark for a strongly laxative natural water product which was very popular in the United States in the early 20th century. The water’s laxative properties were from its high native content of mineral … Continue reading →

The Heberling Medicine & Extract Company of Bloomington, IL manufactured medicines, spices, flavoring extracts, toilet articles, minerals, tea, perfumes and assorted miscellany ranging from stove polish to sewing machine oil. Founded in 1902 by brothers George C. Heberling and John … Continue reading →

The product Santal de Midy was a medicine for the treatment of venereal and urinary diseases, most notably gonorrhea. Santal is the French name of sandalwood (bois de santal), the principal ingredient of the medicine, and Midy is the name … Continue reading →

According to the Minneapolis Historic Building Survey, “The LaVoris Company was founded in 1902 by Charles E. Leigh and William H. Levings. Leigh was a druggist at 7th Street and Nicollet Avenue. Lavoris originated the mouthwash which became the firm’s … Continue reading →

Electric Bitters was a laxative that contained 18% alcohol.  It’s label proclaimed it was “The Great Family Remedy for all diseases of the stomach, liver and kidneys, biliousness, general debility, fever and ague and blood disorders.” As mentioned in another … Continue reading →

Fish oil capsules and omega-3 supplements that are common today can trace their origins to the infamous cod liver oil of yesteryear, often given to children by well intentioned adults to combat the debilitating diseases caused by vitamin D deficiency, … Continue reading →

The story of this Waterman’s Ink bottle is not so much about ink as it is about pens, since Lewis Waterman is known as “the inventor of the capillary feed fountain pen and the founder of Ideal Pen Company and … Continue reading →