Vicks VapoRub

Well, it is high time we feature the Richardson family and make sure the world knows that Vicks VapoRub was first compounded in Greensboro (see sign above) in the late 1800's. In 1912 the menthol salve got renamed Vicks VapoRub. The flu pandemic of 1918 really made Richardson's product a household name as it was the most popular croup/cold/flu remedy at the time. Sales of the inhaled breathing treatment soared from $900,000 to $2.5 million in that year. While Proctor and Gamble bought Richardson-Vicks, Inc. in 1985, we are proud to say that America's #1 inhaled breathing treatment got its start in Greensboro, North Carolina. There aren't many commercial products around today that were thriving 100 years ago: VapoRub is one of the elite! If you want to learn more about the history of Vicks VapoRub, go to the 100 year interactive timeline here! (Click on the pictures of the produces and information pops up). If you want to learn more about Mr. Richardson, read this article archived at the North Carolina Museum of History. The article is called, "The Man Who Helped the World Breathe Easier."

We made sure to get a slice of sky in the background so that we could share today's post with the world on SkyWatch Friday! We tried to capture the sky on a night when it was close to the color of VapoRub's cobalt blue jar.

 

Comments

[J Bar]

Interesting shot.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

[Dina]

Oh gosh, you're right--the sky is the color of the jar!
The blue color is about the only pleasant thing about Vicks VapoRub. :)
Nice to honor and remember Richardson with the sign and post.

[Jane Mitchell]

Great history. I didn't realize until I read your piece about Richardson that he bought the drugstore where O. Henry worked--nice linkage of two of our famous sons.

[Virginia]

Well my grandmother swore by the stuff! Great photo as well.
V

[Hattie A]

One of the plants used to be at the corner of Wendover and Cridland. I grew up in Fisher Park and one summer day, there was an explosion at the plant. It shook the windows in our house 3 blocks away!

[ann]

I like Vicks, it is similar to the Tiger Balm.

[barbara farr]

I had no idea. Intersting post. You are much more organized than me. I would have never planned for matching the color of the sky with the jar.

I love that stuff...reminds of when I was sick as kid and my mom taking care of me.

barb
pcadp

[Evelyn]

Wow, I had no idea VapoRub has been around for so long.

[affordable car insurance]

Doctors 100 years from now will look at what doctors from today are giving their patients and think ... "Wow, how barbaric." Kinda how doctors today look at doctors from 100 years ago.

[Emily]

My German friend Werner pronounces it Wick's Wapo Wub. He swears by it in Germany.