Description: Reverse reads: "Ivorydale Plant" Aerial view of the Procter & Gamble Company Plant, located on Spring Grove Avenue between Mill Creek and Township Avenue, in the Cincinnati suburb of St. Bernard, which originally covered 11 acres in a section called Ivorydale. It was, and still is, one of the largest soap manufacturing plants in the world. The original plant dates from about 1885, when P&G expanded operations from their downtown location. The giant complex would eventually cover 243 acres with 120 buildings, including the 43-acre food plant built in 1911. During the 1930s, the complex was described as being a maze of utilitarian gray stone buildings, interspersed with outdoor retorts and tanks, smokestacks and railroad tracks. The campus includes its own fire station, dining rooms and recreational facilities. William Procter, a candlemaker, and James Gamble, a soapmaker, formed the company known as Procter & Gamble in 1837. The two men, immigrants from England and Ireland respectively, had settled earlier in Cincinnati and had married sisters. The two men decided to pool their resources to form their own company, formalizing the relationship on October 31, 1837. The company prospered during the nineteenth century. In 1859, sales reached one million dollars. By this point, approximately eighty employees worked for Procter & Gamble. During the 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 & Gamble products. Once the war was over and the men returned home, they continued to purchase the company's products. In the 1880s, Procter & Gamble began to market a new product, an inexpensive, yet high quality, soap. The company called the soap "Ivory." In the decades that followed, Procter & Gamble continued to grow and evolve. The company became known for its progressive work environment in the late nineteenth century. William Cooper Procter, William Procter's grandson, established a profit-sharing program for the company's workforce in 1887. He hoped that by giving the workers a stake in the company, they would be less inclined to go on strike. Over time, the company began to focus most of its attention on soap, producing more than thirty different types by the 1890s. As electricity became more and more common, there was less need for the candles that Procter & Gamble had made since its inception. Ultimately, the company chose to stop manufacturing candles in 1920. In the early twentieth century, Procter & Gamble continued to grow. 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. In the early 1900s, Procter & Gamble also became known for its research laboratories, where scientists worked to create new products. Company leadership also pioneered in the area of market research, investigating consumer needs and product appeal. As radio became more popular in the 1920s and 1930s, the company sponsored a number of radio programs. As a result, these shows often became commonly known as "soap operas." Throughout the twentieth century, Procter & Gamble continued to prosper. The company moved into other countries, both in terms of manufacturing and product sales, becoming an international corporation. In addition, numerous new products and brand names were introduced over time, and Procter & Gamble began branching out into new areas. The company introduced "Tide" laundry detergent in 1946 and "Prell" shampoo in 1950. In 1955, Procter & 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 & Gamble began making "Downy" fabric softener in 1960 and "Bounce" fabric softener sheets. One of the most revolutionary products to come out on the market was the company's "Pampers," first test-marketed in 1961. Prior to this point, there were no disposable diapers. Babies always wore cloth diapers, which were leaky and labor intensive to wash. Pampers simplified the diapering process. Over the second half of the twentieth century, Procter & Gamble acquired a number of other companies that diversified its product line and increased profits significantly. These acquisitions included Folgers Coffee, Norwich Eaton Pharmaceuticals, Richardson-Vicks, Noxell, Shulton's Old Spice, Max Factor, and the Iams Company, among others. In 1996, Procter & Gamble made headlines when the Food and Drug Administration approved a new product developed by the company, Olestra. Olestra, also known by its brand name Olean, is a substitute for fat in cooking potato chips and other snacks. Procter & Gamble has expanded dramatically throughout its history, but its headquarters still remain in Cincinnati. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B07F08_005_1
Subjects: Manufacturing industries--Ohio; Cincinnati (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.; Manufacturing industries--Ohio; Assembly lines; Soap factories; Procter & Gamble Company; Cincinnati (Ohio)--Aerial views
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: This is an aerial view of Procter and Gamble's Ivorydale plant in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Procter and Gamble Company Plant, located on Spring Grove Avenue between Mill Creek and Township Avenue, in the Cincinnati suburb of St. Bernard, originally covered 11 acres in a section called Ivorydale. It was and still is, one of the largest soap manufacturing plants in the world. The original plant dates from about 1885, when P&G expanded operations from their downtown location. The giant complex would eventually cover 243 acres with 120 buildings, including the 43 acre food plant built in 1911. During the 1930s, the buildings was described as being a maze of utilitarian gray stone buildings, interspersed with hugged outdoor retorts and tanks, smokestacks and railroad tracks. The campus includes its own fire station, dining rooms and recreational facilities. William Procter, a candlemaker, and James Gamble, a soapmaker, formed the company known as Procter & Gamble in 1837. The two men, immigrants from England and Ireland respectively, had settled earlier in Cincinnati and had married sisters. The two men decided to pool their resources to form their own company, formalizing the relationship on October 31, 1837. The company prospered during the nineteenth century. In 1859, sales reached one million dollars. By this point, approximately eighty employees worked for Procter & Gamble. During the 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 & Gambles products. Once the war was over and the men returned home, they continued to purchase the company's products. In the 1880s, Procter & Gamble began to market a new product, an inexpensive, yet high quality, soap. The company called the soap "Ivory." In the decades that followed, Procter & Gamble continued to grow and evolve. The company became known for its progressive work environment in the late nineteenth century. William Cooper Procter, William Procter's grandson, established a profit-sharing program for the company's workforce in 1887. He hoped that by giving the workers a stake in the company, they would be less inclined to go on strike. Over time, the company began to focus most of its attention on soap, producing more than thirty different types by the 1890s. As electricity became more and more common, there was less need for the candles that Procter & Gamble had made since its inception. Ultimately, the company chose to stop manufacturing candles in 1920. In the early twentieth century, Procter & Gamble continued to grow. 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. In the early 1900s, Procter & Gamble also became known for its research laboratories, where scientists worked to create new products. Company leadership also pioneered in the area of market research, investigating consumer needs and product appeal. As radio became more popular in the 1920s and 1930s, the company sponsored a number of radio programs. As a result, these shows often became commonly known as "soap operas." Throughout the twentieth century, Procter & Gamble continued to prosper. The company moved into other countries, both in terms of manufacturing and product sales, becoming an international corporation. In addition, numerous new products and brand names were introduced over time, and Procter & Gamble began branching out into new areas. The company introduced "Tide" laundry detergent in 1946 and "Prell" shampoo in 1950. In 1955, Procter & 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 & Gamble began making "Downy" fabric softener in 1960 and "Bounce" fabric softener sheets. One of the most revolutionary products to come out on the market was the company's "Pampers", first test-marketed in 1961. Prior to this point, there were no disposable diapers. Babies always wore cloth diapers, which were leaky and labor intensive to wash. Pampers simplified the diapering process. Over the second half of the twentieth century, Procter & Gamble acquired a number of other companies that diversified its product line and increased profits significantly. These acquisitions included Folgers Coffee, Norwich Eaton Pharmaceuticals, Richardson-Vicks, Noxell, Shultons Old Spice, Max Factor, and the Iams Company, among others. In 1996, Procter & Gamble made headlines when the Food and Drug Administration approved a new product developed by the company, Olestra. Olestra, also known by its brand name Olean, is a substitute for fat in cooking potato chips and other snacks. Procter & Gamble has expanded dramatically throughout its history, but its headquarters still remain in Cincinnati. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B07F08_009_1
Subjects: Manufacturing industries--Ohio; Cincinnati (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.; Manufacturing industries--Ohio; Assembly lines; Soap factories; Procter & Gamble Company; Cincinnati (Ohio)--Aerial views
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: This image shows an aerial view of the Procter & Gamble factories in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company was founded by William Procter, a candle maker from England, and James Gamble, a soap maker from Ireland. The two men had married sisters, Olivia and Elizabeth Norris, respectively. Alexander Norris, their father-in-law, persuaded the men to form a business. On October 31, 1837, Procter & Gamble was formed. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06449
Subjects: Procter & Gamble Company; Manufacturing industries--Ohio; Cincinnati (Ohio)
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Reverse reads: "U.S. Playing Card Co. Norwood, Ohio. Cincinnati, Ohio." The United States Playing Card Company, located on Beech Avenue at the end of Park Avenue, is a buff brick building with a Neo-Romanesque square clock tower. Russell, Morgan & Co. was started in 1867 in Cincinnati, Ohio, as a printing company making mostly posters, placards and labels. The company began printing playing cards in 1881, with 20 employees making about 1600 packs a day. In 1891, Russell, Morgan and Company renamed themselves The United States Printing Company. In 1894, due to growing sucess, the playing card business was separated from the main company and became The United States Playing Card Company. By 1900, The United States Playing Company moved from downtown, to a newly built factory in Norwood, a suburb in north-east Cincinnati. The four story bell tower was added at the main building entrance in 1926, and housed 12 carillon bells, which ranged from 1 1/2 feet to 5 1/2 feet. The chimes were connected electronically local radio station WSAI, and were the first set built for the purpose of radio broadcasting. WSAI was not only owned and operated by USPC from 1922 to 1930, but was located on their main campus, and used to broadcast bridge lessons, which could be heard as far away as New Zealand. WSAI was sold to Crosley Radio Station during the 1930s. Along with playing card accessories such as poker chips, it distributes cards, such as Kem, Bee, Bicycle, Arcane, Aviator, Alladin, Maverick, Tuxedo, Hoyle and tally Ho. The cards are also used by famous magicians and companies like Bicycle make cheats decks only for illusionists. Bee is a high quality brand used in casinos, while Bicycle is an inexpensive brand that has been the top selling brand in the world. During World War II, the company made cards that could be pulled apart when submerged in water. The inside was a map and wen all the cards were put together, it was a large map. These were supplied to POW's who could use the map to reach safety, if they were able to escape. During the Vietnam Was, the company provided U. S. Soldiers with cards. It was commonly believed that the Viet Cong thought the cards would a symbol of death and would flee if they say the ace of spades. This was not true, but the cards served to boast the morale of the soldiers. The company is now located in at 300 Gap Way in Erlanger, KY. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B08F01_014_001
Subjects: Cincinnati (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.; Industries--Ohio--Cincinnati; Manufacturing industries--Ohio; United States Playing Card
Places: Norwood (Ohio); Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Poster advertising the many products of the Egan Co., with locations on Central Avenue, John Street, Front Street and Greenleaf Street in Cincinnati, Ohio, ca. 1890. Shown on the poster are a number of machinery types, including planers, mortisers, saws, lathes, and more. The Egan Co. was a manufacturer of woodworking machinery based out of Cincinnati. Originally founded in 1871 as Cordesman, Egan & Co., the company split into two separate firms in 1884. The Egan Co. operated alone under the leadership of its president Thomas P. Egan for nearly a decade before joining with another Cincinnati-based competitor to form the J.A. Fay & Egan Co. Despite their shared name, the two companies continued to advertise and manufacture independently for the next ten years or so. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: PA_B540_25
Subjects: Machinery industry--Ohio; woodworking tools; Industries--Ohio--Cincinnati; Manufacturing industries--Ohio
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Reverse reads: "Ivorydale Plant" The Procter and Gamble Company Plant, located on Spring Grove Avenue between Mill Creek and Township Avenue, in the Cincinnati suburb of St. Bernard, originally covered 11 acres in a section called Ivorydale. It was and still is, one of the largest soap manufacturing plants in the world. The original plant dates from about 1885, when P&G expanded operations from their downtown location. The giant complex would eventually cover 243 acres with 120 buildings, including the 43 acre food plant built in 1911. During the 1930s, the buildings was described as being a maze of utilitarian gray stone buildings, interspersed with hugged outdoor retorts and tanks, smokestacks and railroad tracks. The campus includes its own fire station, dining rooms and recreational facilities. William Procter, a candlemaker, and James Gamble, a soapmaker, formed the company known as Procter & Gamble in 1837. The two men, immigrants from England and Ireland respectively, had settled earlier in Cincinnati and had married sisters. The two men decided to pool their resources to form their own company, formalizing the relationship on October 31, 1837. The company prospered during the nineteenth century. In 1859, sales reached one million dollars. By this point, approximately eighty employees worked for Procter & Gamble. During the 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 & Gambles products. Once the war was over and the men returned home, they continued to purchase the company’s products. In the 1880s, Procter & Gamble began to market a new product, an inexpensive, yet high quality, soap. The company called the soap "Ivory." In the decades that followed, Procter & Gamble continued to grow and evolve. The company became known for its progressive work environment in the late nineteenth century. William Cooper Procter, William Procter's grandson, established a profit-sharing program for the company’s workforce in 1887. He hoped that by giving the workers a stake in the company, they would be less inclined to go on strike. Over time, the company began to focus most of its attention on soap, producing more than thirty different types by the 1890s. As electricity became more and more common, there was less need for the candles that Procter & Gamble had made since its inception. Ultimately, the company chose to stop manufacturing candles in 1920. In the early twentieth century, Procter & Gamble continued to grow. 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. In the early 1900s, Procter & Gamble also became known for its research laboratories, where scientists worked to create new products. Company leadership also pioneered in the area of market research, investigating consumer needs and product appeal. As radio became more popular in the 1920s and 1930s, the company sponsored a number of radio programs. As a result, these shows often became commonly known as "soap operas." Throughout the twentieth century, Procter & Gamble continued to prosper. The company moved into other countries, both in terms of manufacturing and product sales, becoming an international corporation. In addition, numerous new products and brand names were introduced over time, and Procter & Gamble began branching out into new areas. The company introduced "Tide" laundry detergent in 1946 and "Prell" shampoo in 1950. In 1955, Procter & 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 & Gamble began making "Downy" fabric softener in 1960 and "Bounce" fabric softener sheets. One of the most revolutionary products to come out on the market was the company’s "Pampers", first test-marketed in 1961. Prior to this point, there were no disposable diapers. Babies always wore cloth diapers, which were leaky and labor intensive to wash. Pampers simplified the diapering process. Over the second half of the twentieth century, Procter & Gamble acquired a number of other companies that diversified its product line and increased profits significantly. These acquisitions included Folgers Coffee, Norwich Eaton Pharmaceuticals, Richardson-Vicks, Noxell, Shultons Old Spice, Max Factor, and the Iams Company, among others. In 1996, Procter & Gamble made headlines when the Food and Drug Administration approved a new product developed by the company, Olestra. Olestra, also known by its brand name Olean, is a substitute for fat in cooking potato chips and other snacks. Procter & Gamble has expanded dramatically throughout its history, but its headquarters still remain in Cincinnati. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B03F10_010_1
Subjects: Industries--Ohio--Cincinnati; Cincinnati (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.; Manufacturing industries--Ohio; Assembly lines; Soap factories; Procter & Gamble Company
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: The Ohio Mechanics Institute in Cincinnati, from a letterhead engraving. Organized in 1828, this non-profit institute organized lectures and provided other types of practical training for mechanics. Later evolving into a college-level educational program, it was incorporated into the University of Cincinnati in 1969. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL04019
Subjects: Education--Ohio; Cincinnati (Ohio)--History; Industries--Ohio--Cincinnati
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Original description reads: "Oxydol towers at the St. Bernard Factory-Hot liquid soap, sprayed into towers, is puffed into round particles. The tiny beads of soap cool as they fall to the base. Ivory Snow, Dreft, and Chipso granules are also made by a similar process." The Procter and Gamble Company Plant, located on Spring Grove Avenue between Mill Creek and Township Avenue, in the Cincinnati suburb of St. Bernard, originally covered 11 acres in a section called Ivorydale. It was and still is, one of the largest soap manufacturing plants in the world. The original plant dates from about 1885, when P&G expanded operations from their downtown location. The giant complex would eventually cover 243 acres with 120 buildings, including the 43 acre food plant built in 1911. During the 1930s, the buildings was described as being a maze of utilitarian gray stone buildings, interspersed with hugged outdoor retorts and tanks, smokestacks and railroad tracks. The campus includes its own fire station, dining rooms and recreational facilities. William Procter, a candlemaker, and James Gamble, a soapmaker, formed the company known as Procter & Gamble in 1837. The two men, immigrants from England and Ireland respectively, had settled earlier in Cincinnati and had married sisters. The two men decided to pool their resources to form their own company, formalizing the relationship on October 31, 1837. The company prospered during the nineteenth century. In 1859, sales reached one million dollars. By this point, approximately eighty employees worked for Procter & Gamble. During the 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 & Gambles products. Once the war was over and the men returned home, they continued to purchase the company’s products. In the 1880s, Procter & Gamble began to market a new product, an inexpensive, yet high quality, soap. The company called the soap "Ivory." In the decades that followed, Procter & Gamble continued to grow and evolve. The company became known for its progressive work environment in the late nineteenth century. William Cooper Procter, William Procter's grandson, established a profit-sharing program for the company’s workforce in 1887. He hoped that by giving the workers a stake in the company, they would be less inclined to go on strike. Over time, the company began to focus most of its attention on soap, producing more than thirty different types by the 1890s. As electricity became more and more common, there was less need for the candles that Procter & Gamble had made since its inception. Ultimately, the company chose to stop manufacturing candles in 1920. In the early twentieth century, Procter & Gamble continued to grow. 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. In the early 1900s, Procter & Gamble also became known for its research laboratories, where scientists worked to create new products. Company leadership also pioneered in the area of market research, investigating consumer needs and product appeal. As radio became more popular in the 1920s and 1930s, the company sponsored a number of radio programs. As a result, these shows often became commonly known as "soap operas." Throughout the twentieth century, Procter & Gamble continued to prosper. The company moved into other countries, both in terms of manufacturing and product sales, becoming an international corporation. In addition, numerous new products and brand names were introduced over time, and Procter & Gamble began branching out into new areas. The company introduced "Tide" laundry detergent in 1946 and "Prell" shampoo in 1950. In 1955, Procter & 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 & Gamble began making "Downy" fabric softener in 1960 and "Bounce" fabric softener sheets. One of the most revolutionary products to come out on the market was the company’s "Pampers", first test-marketed in 1961. Prior to this point, there were no disposable diapers. Babies always wore cloth diapers, which were leaky and labor intensive to wash. Pampers simplified the diapering process. Over the second half of the twentieth century, Procter & Gamble acquired a number of other companies that diversified its product line and increased profits significantly. These acquisitions included Folgers Coffee, Norwich Eaton Pharmaceuticals, Richardson-Vicks, Noxell, Shultons Old Spice, Max Factor, and the Iams Company, among others. In 1996, Procter & Gamble made headlines when the Food and Drug Administration approved a new product developed by the company, Olestra. Olestra, also known by its brand name Olean, is a substitute for fat in cooking potato chips and other snacks. Procter & Gamble has expanded dramatically throughout its history, but its headquarters still remain in Cincinnati. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B03F10_001_1
Subjects: Industries--Ohio--Cincinnati; Cincinnati (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.; Manufacturing industries--Ohio; Assembly lines; Soap factories; Procter & Gamble Company
Places: St. Bernard (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: This image shows towers at the Procter & Gamble plant in St. Bernard, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati. The towers are emitting smoke or steam. The photo's original description reads: "Oxydol towers at the St. Bernard Factory - Hot liquid soap, sprayed into towers, is puffed into round particles. The tiny beads of soap cool as they fall to the base. Ivory Snow, Dreft, and Chipso granules are also made by a similar process." The Procter & Gamble Company plant, located on Spring Grove Avenue between Mill Creek and Township Avenue in the Cincinnati suburb of St. Bernard, originally covered 11 acres in a section called Ivorydale. It was and still is one of the largest soap manufacturing plants in the world. The original plant dates from about 1885, when P&G expanded operations from its downtown location. The giant complex would eventually cover 243 acres with 120 buildings, including the 43-acre food plant built in 1911. During the 1930s, the buildings were described as being a maze of utilitarian gray stone buildings, interspersed with outdoor retorts and tanks, smokestacks and railroad tracks. The campus includes its own fire station, dining rooms and recreational facilities. William Procter, a candlemaker, and James Gamble, a soapmaker, formed the company known as Procter & Gamble in 1837. The two men, immigrants from England and Ireland respectively, had settled earlier in Cincinnati and had married sisters. The two men decided to pool their resources to form their own company, formalizing the relationship on October 31, 1837. The company prospered during the nineteenth century. In 1859 sales reached one million dollars. By this point approximately eighty employees worked for Procter & Gamble. During the 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 & Gamble’s products. After the war was over and the men returned home, they continued to purchase the company’s products. In the 1880s, Procter & Gamble began to market a new product, an inexpensive yet high-quality soap called "Ivory." In the decades that followed, Procter & Gamble continued to grow and evolve. The company became known for its progressive work environment in the late nineteenth century. William Cooper Procter, William Procter's grandson, established a profit-sharing program for the company’s workforce in 1887. Over time the company began to focus most of its attention on soap, producing more than thirty different types by the 1890s. Procter & Gamble stopped manufacturing candles in 1920. The company began to build factories in other U.S. locations because the demand for products had outgrown the capacity of the Cincinnati facilities. In the early 1900s, Procter & Gamble also became known for its research laboratories, where scientists worked to create new products. Company leadership also pioneered in the area of market research, investigating consumer needs and product appeal. Procter & Gamble prospered throughout the twentieth century. The company diversified its products, adding Crisco, a shortening made of vegetable oils rather than animal fats (1911); "Tide" laundry detergent (1946); "Prell" shampoo (1950); “Crest,” the first toothpaste to contain fluoride (1955); Charmin toilet paper and other paper products (1957); "Downy" fabric softener and "Bounce" fabric softener sheets (1960); "Pampers,” disposable diapers, first test-marketed in 1961. During the last half of the twentieth century, Procter & Gamble acquired a number of other companies that diversified its product line and increased profits significantly: Folgers Coffee, Norwich Eaton Pharmaceuticals, Richardson-Vicks, Noxell, Shulton’s Old Spice, Max Factor, and the Iams Company, among others. Now an international corporation, Procter & Gamble retains its headquarters in Cincinnati. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06401
Subjects: Industries--Ohio--Cincinnati; Cincinnati (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.; Manufacturing industries--Ohio; Assembly lines; Soap factories; Procter & Gamble Company; United States. Work Progress Administration
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Reverse reads in script: "Scene in Strobridge Lithographing Plant, Cincinnati c/ Homer Jensen." The photograph shows lithographing machines in the Strobridge Lithographing Plant. Each machines uses a series of dampening rollers, inking rollers, and cylanders to print the lithographs. Strobridge Lithographing Plant was founded in 1847 as a stationery store by Elijah Middleton. In 1854 lithographer W.R. Wallace and bookseller Hines Strobridge joined the business. Its signature products were circus, theater, and movie posters. It was sold to the H.S. Crocker printing company in 1961 and closed its doors ten years later in 1961. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B07F09_018_1
Subjects: Cincinnati (Ohio)--History--20th century--Pictorial works; Cincinnati (Ohio)--Industries--History; Strobridge Lithographing Company
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton (Ohio)
 

Description: An image of the Glass Door Oven Plant in Cincinnati, Ohio. This plant, and the ovens it produced were started by E.H. Huenefeld. Huenefeld made a significant technological advancement in making his then unique glass door oven. He came up with a novel way to allow his ovens to have a glass door that would be easy to see through even in the middle of cooking, and was sure not to crack from the stress that it was put through. This oven was considered to be a huge advancement in both manufacturing and general convenience for home owners. Suddenly owners could simply look into their ovens without any need to do anything but that. In addition to the ovens, Huenefeld's successful company was also involved in producing a number of other appliances. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06692
Subjects: Cincinnati (Ohio); Glass industry; Manufacturing industries--Ohio
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio); Ohio
 

Description: This photograph shows a white substance moving along an assembly line. This could be a stage in the soap making process at Procter and Gamble, though more information is needed to be certain. The Procter and Gamble Company Plant, located on Spring Grove Avenue between Mill Creek and Township Avenue, originally covered 11 acres in a section called Ivorydale. It was and still is, one of the largest soap manufacturing plants in the world. The original plant dates from about 1885, when P&G expanded operations from their downtown location. The giant complex would eventually cover 243 acres with 120 buildings, including the 43 acre food plant built in 1911. During the 1930s, the buildings was described as being a maze of utilitarian gray stone buildings, interspersed with hugged outdoor retorts and tanks, smokestacks and railroad tracks. William Procter, a candlemaker, and James Gamble, a soapmaker, formed the company known as Procter & Gamble in 1837. The two men, immigrants from England and Ireland respectively, had settled earlier in Cincinnati and had married sisters. The two men decided to pool their resources to form their own company, formalizing the relationship on October 31, 1837. The company prospered during the nineteenth century. In 1859, sales reached one million dollars. By this point, approximately eighty employees worked for Procter & Gamble. During the 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 & Gambles products. Once the war was over and the men returned home, they continued to purchase the companys products. In the 1880s, Procter & Gamble began to market a new product, an inexpensive, yet high quality, soap. The company called the soap "Ivory." In the decades that followed, Procter & Gamble continued to grow and evolve. The company became known for its progressive work environment in the late nineteenth century. William Cooper Procter, William Procter's grandson, established a profit-sharing program for the companys workforce in 1887. He hoped that by giving the workers a stake in the company, they would be less inclined to go on strike. Over time, the company began to focus most of its attention on soap, producing more than thirty different types by the 1890s. As electricity became more and more common, there was less need for the candles that Procter & Gamble had made since its inception. ltimately, the company chose to stop manufacturing candles in 1920. In the early twentieth century, Procter & Gamble continued to grow. 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 companys leaders began to diversify its products as well and, in 1911, began producing Crisco, a shortening made of vegetable oils rather than animal fats. In the early 1900s, Procter & Gamble also became known for its research laboratories, where scientists worked to create new products. Company leadership also pioneered in the area of market research, investigating consumer needs and product appeal. As radio ecame more popular in the 1920s and 1930s, the company sponsored a number of radio programs. As a result, these shows often became commonly known as "soap operas." Throughout the twentieth century, Procter & Gamble continued to prosper. The company moved into other countries, both in terms of manufacturing and product sales, becoming an international orporation. In addition, numerous new products and brand names were introduced over time, and Procter & Gamble began branching out into new areas. The company introduced "Tide" laundry detergent in 1946 and "Prell" shampoo in 1950. In 1955, Procter & 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 & Gamble began making "Downy" fabric softener in 1960 and "Bounce" fabric softener sheets. One of the most revolutionary products to come out on the market was the companys "Pampers", first test-marketed in 1961. Prior to this point, there were no disposable diapers. Babies always wore cloth diapers, which were leaky and labor intensive to wash. Pampers simplified the diapering process. Over the second half of the twentieth century, Procter & Gamble acquired a number of other companies that diversified its product line and increased profits significantly. These acquisitions included Folgers Coffee, Norwich Eaton Pharmaceuticals, Richardson-Vicks, Noxell, Shultons Old Spice, Max Factor, and the Iams Company, among others. In 1996, Procter & Gamble made headlines when the Food and Drug Administration approved a new product developed by the company, Olestra. Olestra, also known by its brand name Olean, is a substitute for fat in cooking potato chips and other snacks. Procter & Gamble has expanded dramatically throughout its history, but its headquarters still remain in Cincinnati. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B08F03_040_001
Subjects: Industries--Ohio--Cincinnati; Assembly lines; Soap factories; Procter & Gamble Company
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)