2008.0637

ADVERTISING BLOTTER, 'DEFINITELY ANTISEPTIC, MENNEN ANTISEPTIC OIL ..., MENNEN ANTISEPTIC BORATED POWDER ...', THE MENNEN CO.

Production date

1940

Production organisations

THE MENNEN CO.

Labels

Gerhard Mennen emigrated to the US from Germany and opened his first apothecary in 1878. He then began to make his own products, starting with Mennen Antiseptic borated powder, which was talc mixed with antiseptic and oil of roses. It was marketed as the first antiseptic baby powder, and was sold in a metal cylindrical container with a spin wheel cover- another innovation. This was closely followed by Mennen Antiseptic Oil, which was used on newborns.

Mennen was also an innovator when it came to marketing his products. He gave away pamphlets and items like these blotters for retailers to include with purchases.