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 an aerial view of "Ivorydale," the Procter & Gamble manufacturing complex in Cincinnati, Ohio, ca. 1935-1943. The sprawling campus includes factory buildings, storage facilities, smokestacks, roads, and railroad tracks. A baseball diamond is visible in the center of the image. The facility seen in the foreground center is a milling company; a sign on its twin towers reads “Union Grains.” Procter & Gamble is a multinational consumer goods company with corporate headquarters in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. An English candle maker, William Procter, and an Irish soap maker, James Gamble, established the company on October 31, 1837. In the beginning, Procter & Gamble’s manufacturing operations were located downtown on Central Avenue, near the Ohio River. The company prospered during the nineteenth century. In 1859, sales reached one million dollars. During the Civil War the company won contracts to supply the Union army with soap and candles. In addition to the increasing the company’s profits experienced during the war, the military contracts introduced soldiers from all over the country to Procter & Gamble’s products. After the men returned home from the war, 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 with the brand name "Ivory." Demand for the floating white bar soared. In January 1884 a fire destroyed most of the buildings at P&G’s manufacturing center downtown. The company seized the opportunity to reconfigure its manufacturing operations to accommodate mass production. That decision led to the creation of the 11-acre Ivorydale campus in 1886. It was located on Spring Grove Avenue between Mill Creek and Township Avenue in the Cincinnati suburb of St. Bernard, Ohio. 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 hugged outdoor retorts and tanks, smokestacks, and railroad tracks. The campus included its own fire station, dining rooms, and recreational facilities. Over time, Procter & Gamble increasingly focused on producing soap and eventually stopped manufacturing candles in 1920. In the early 20th century Procter & Gamble built factories in other locations in the United States. During the second half of the 20th century, it acquired a number of other companies that diversified its product line and increased profits significantly. Procter & Gamble’s headquarters remain in Cincinnati. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06197
Subjects: Procter & Gamble Company; Factories; Businesses; Manufacturing industries--Ohio; Industries--Ohio--Cincinnati
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph shows a display of 14 bars of Ivory soap, a leading product made by Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati, Ohio. Procter & Gamble is a multinational consumer goods company with corporate headquarters in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. An English candle maker, William Procter, and an Irish soap maker, James Gamble, established the company on October 31, 1837. In the beginning, Procter & Gamble’s manufacturing operations were located downtown on Central Avenue, near the Ohio River. The company prospered during the nineteenth century. In 1859, sales reached one million dollars. During the Civil War the company won contracts to supply the Union army with soap and candles. In addition to the increasing the company’s profits experienced during the war, the military contracts introduced soldiers from all over the country to Procter & Gamble’s products. After the men returned home from the war, 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 with the brand name "Ivory." Demand for the floating white bar soared. In January 1884 a fire destroyed most of the buildings at P&G’s manufacturing center downtown. The company seized the opportunity to reconfigure its manufacturing operations to mass production. That decision led to the creation of the 11-acre Ivorydale campus in 1886. It was located on Spring Grove Avenue between Mill Creek and Township Avenue in the Cincinnati suburb of St. Bernard, Ohio. 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 hugged outdoor retorts and tanks, smokestacks, and railroad tracks. The campus included its own fire station, dining rooms, and recreational facilities. Over time, Procter & Gamble increasingly focused on producing soap and eventually stopped manufacturing candles in 1920. In the early twentieth century Procter & Gamble built factories in other locations in the United States. During the second half of the twentieth century, it acquired a number of other companies that diversified its product line and increased profits significantly. Procter & Gamble’s headquarters remain in Cincinnati. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06198
Subjects: Procter & Gamble Company; Soap; Manufacturing industries--Ohio; Businesses; Industries--Ohio--Cincinnati
Places: Cincinnati (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: 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 is a photo from the Procter & Gamble Ivorydale facility in Cincinnati, Ohio. The photo shows 3 men in white outfits doing some type of work with a number of vats containing an unknown substance, but possibly soap. 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_007_1
Subjects: Cincinnati (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Pictorial works; Proctor and Gamble Company; Manufacturing industries; Soap
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Reverse reads: "M. Werk Co., Oscar Phelps - mailing merch. Norwood, Ohio." This photograph shows a man packing boxes of Werk's Tag soap into boxes, which are then placed onto a gravity roller conveyor belt. M.Werk Company was founded as Werk Soap and Candle Company in 1832 by Michel (Michael) Werk, (1807 - ) of Alsace, France and for a time was the oldest soap and candle business in the city of Cincinnati. In 1833, a candle factory on Vine Street was purchased from Mr. Hinkle. Werk married Pauline La Feuille in 1843. Their eldest son Casimir went on to become president of the company for 40 years. A fire destroyed the factory in 1874, but was rebuilt in the same location in 1875. Michael Schwartz was president of the company from 1894 to 1904, and his son Albert Schwartz succeeded him. By 1912 Werk soap sold more in Cincinnati that any other brand, becoming a household name. The company decided to move into a larger, fireproof factory with more modern facilities on about 20 acres of land on Murrary Road in St. Bernard. Werk made many different kinds of soap and candles, beginning with German Soap, which was eventually renamed to avoid confusion with other brands. The most well-known is Tag soap, on which tags were placed that could be redeemed towards various household items. They also made Meerschaum soap, “Clean Work” soap powder, Falcon soap and white castile soap, as well as manufacturing stearic acid, Star and X-Ray candles and chemically pure glycerine for manufacturing use. M. Werk Co. was eventually purchased by Proctor & Gamble (P&G View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B08F02_010_001
Subjects: Industries--Ohio--Cincinnati; Soap; Soap factories; Procter & Gamble Company
Places: Saint Bernard (Ohio); Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

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 & Gamble's Ivorydale facility in Cincinnati, Ohio. 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 eleven acres in a section called Ivorydale. It was, and still is, one of the largest soap manufacturing plants in the world. 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. They decided to pool their resources to form their own company, formalizing the relationship on October 31, 1837. The original plant dates to ca. 1885 when Procter & Gamble 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 outdoor retorts and tanks, smokestacks and railroad tracks. The campus included its own fire station, dining rooms and recreational facilities. This photograph is one of the many visual materials collected for use in the Ohio Guide. In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Works Progress Administration by executive order to create jobs for the large numbers of unemployed laborers, as well as artists, musicians, actors, and writers. The Federal Arts Program, a sector of the Works Progress Administration, included the Federal Writers’ Project, one of the primary goals of which was to complete the America Guide series, a series of guidebooks for each state which included state history, art, architecture, music, literature, and points of interest to the major cities and tours throughout the state. Work on the Ohio Guide began in 1935 with the publication of several pamphlets and brochures. The Reorganization Act of 1939 consolidated the Works Progress Administration and other agencies into the Federal Works Administration, and the Federal Writers’ Project became the Federal Writers’ Project in Ohio. The final product was published in 1940 and went through several editions. The Ohio Guide Collection consists of 4,769 photographs collected for use in Ohio Guide and other publications of the Federal Writers’ Project in Ohio from 1935-1939. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B07F08_006_1
Subjects: Cincinnati (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Pictorial works; Cincinnati (Ohio)--Aerial views; Proctor and Gamble Company; Manufacturing industries; Works Progress Administration; Ohio Federal Writers' Project
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: Dated ca. 1930-1943, this is a photograph of boiling soap at one of the Procter and Gamble buildings. 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 to about 1885, when Proctor and Gamble expanded operations from their downtown location. 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. 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 called Ivory soap. 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 diversified its products and began producing products such as Crisco, Tide laundry detergent, Prell shampoo, Crest toothpaste, Downy fabric softener and Bounce fabric softener sheets, and Pampers, the first disposable diaper. This photograph is one of the many visual materials collected for use in the Ohio Guide. In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Works Progress Administration by executive order to create jobs for the large numbers of unemployed laborers, as well as artists, musicians, actors, and writers. The Federal Arts Program, a sector of the Works Progress Administration, included the Federal Writers’ Project, one of the primary goals of which was to complete the America Guide series, a series of guidebooks for each state which included state history, art, architecture, music, literature, and points of interest to the major cities and tours throughout the state. Work on the Ohio Guide began in 1935 with the publication of several pamphlets and brochures. The Reorganization Act of 1939 consolidated the Works Progress Administration and other agencies into the Federal Works Administration, and the Federal Writers’ Project became the Federal Writers’ Project in Ohio. The final product was published in 1940 and went through several editions. The Ohio Guide Collection consists of 4,769 photographs collected for use in Ohio Guide and other publications of the Federal Writers’ Project in Ohio from 1935-1939. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B07F08_008_1
Subjects: Cincinnati (Ohio); Proctor and Gamble Company; Manufacturing industries; Soap; Ohio Federal Writers' Project
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: This is a photograph of Joseph Bernard Huck and his twin sister Anna Bernardina Huck. They were born on July 5, 1904, making this photograph from around 1905. They are the children of Joseph Huck and Anna Catherine Lang, who were married in 1888. Anna went on to become Sister Mary Alocoque, of the Dominican Order, living most of her life at the St. Mary of the Springs Convent in Columbus, Ohio. Joseph B. Huck, her brother, married Margaret Louise Neader in 1928. This photograph was taken by traveling photographer Albert J. Ewing, ca. 1896-1912. Like most of Ewing's work, it was likely taken in southeastern Ohio or central West Virginia. Born in 1870 in Washington County, Ohio, near Marietta, Ewing most likely began his photography career in the 1890s. The 1910 US Census and a 1912-1913 directory list him as a photographer. A negative signed “Ewing Brothers” and a picture with his younger brother, Frank, indicate that Frank may have joined the business. After 1916, directories list Albert as a salesman. He died in 1934. The Ewing Collection consists of 5,055 glass plate negatives, each individually housed and numbered. Additionally, the collection includes approximately 450 modern contact prints made from the glass plate negatives. Subjects include infants and young children, elderly people, families, school and religious groups, animals and rural scenes. In 1982, the Ohio Historical Society received the collection, still housed in the original dry plate negative boxes purchased by Albert J. Ewing. A selection of the original glass plate negatives were exhibited for the first time in 2013 at the Ohio Historical Center. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AV71_b07_f420
Subjects: Ewing, Albert J. (1870-1934); Portrait photography--United States--History; Children;
Places: Ohio; West Virginia