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‘This new remedial product is offered as a basis for ointment. It is very soft, and altogether seems admirably adapted to the purposes for which it is intended. We think it will be very valuable for medici- nal practice and advise its careful trial.’
The first edition of the Extra Pharmacopoeia, 1883 had a entry on gelatum petroleum and gave one of its synonyms as Vaseline.5 It states:
‘Since first imported, about ten years ago, there have been several imitations of Vaseline produced; but it is still purer, freer from odour, is less crystalline and granular, and has less tendency to separate than any of its competitors.’
Competitors included Adepsine, Chrisma, Cosmoline, Fosiline and Ozokerine.
In 1885 the British Pharmacopoeia introduced a new monograph:6
‘Paraffinum molle Soft paraffin
Synonyms: petrolatum; petroleine; unguentum paraffinum.
A semi-solid mixture containing some of the softer or more fluid members of the paraffin series of hydrocarbons; usually obtained by purifying the
less volatile portions of petroleum. It is known in commerce by various fanciful names.
The product could not be called Vaseline unless Chesebrough gave up his trademark rights to the word which he refused to do. The name paraffinum molle was adopted much to the displeasure of Robert Chesebrough.7 He maintained that the word ‘paraffin’ should only be applied to distillates from coal or petroleum, Vaseline was a gelatinous residual substance.
The British Pharmacopoeia 2008 lists white and yellow soft paraffin.
The commercial product
The original manufacturing plant was in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. A second plant was opened in Pittsburgh and later plants were opened in Montreal and Moscow. A London plant was opened in 1924.
A London office had been opened in the City at 7 Snow Hill. In 1879 an advertisement appeared in the Chemist and Druggist Diary8:
again in 1891. On both occasions there was a shortage of 5 lb (2.2 kg) tins of Vaseline. Many pharmacists were packing Vaseline in their own tins and jars from bulk and accused Chesebrough of holding back on supplies to promote his own branded jars which were freely available. On the first occasion the shortage was blamed on an increase in demand by the public, loss of a large shipment
at sea, a fire at the factory and the inclusion of soft paraffin in the 1885 edition of the British Pharmacopoeia.14 In 1891, the Chemist and Druggist investigated the shortage and spoke to Robert Chesebrough who was visiting his London office.15 He denied the accusation of holding back supplies and this time blamed the shortage
on an increasing demand by the German market and customer demand outstripping production.
Despite the shortages demand increased. In 1894 the Chemist and Druggist ran a ‘postcard campaign’ asking pharmacists to list on a postcard the six most frequently asked-for
items in their shops.16 The result was that Vaseline and Epsom Salts drew for first place with 286 votes out of 574 postcard entries.
In 1955 the Chesebrough Manufacturing Company merged with Pond’s Extract Company to form Chesebrough-Ponds Inc. Various new toiletries were introduced including hair, skin and nail products. Unilever purchased Chesebrough-Ponds Inc in 1987.
Today it is still possible to purchase Vaseline Petroleum Jelly, one of many products marketed under the Vaseline brand.
PETROLEUM VASILINE JELLY
VASELINE is not Wax mixed with Oil, neither is it an admixture of Parafines, but it is
A PURE, highly concentrated JELLY OF PETROLEUM, possessing properties peculiar to itself, and
adaptable to purposes for which no other known substance can be so advantageously be used.
By 1882 the office had been moved
to 41 Holborn Viaduct, London and, in 1899, to number 42. It was run
by Colonel William H Chesebrough, Robert’s brother. He had served in
the American War of Independence and afterwards had been appointed as Secretary to the American Legation. He was so convinced of the success
of Vaseline that he resigned from the legation to work in the London office. It was said that, when questioned about leaving the diplomatic world his wife answered ‘yes, we have gone into the service of Greece’.
In 1923 the registered address was Victoria Road, Willesden Junction, London NW10.
The number of products produced
by Chesebrough Manufacturing Company using Vaseline increased steadily. Advertisements in the Chemist and Druggist Diaries show that in 1880 products for sale were Vaseline for Medicinal Use (three sizes), Pomade Vaseline for the Hair, Vaseline Cold Cream (two sizes), Vaseline Camphor Ice, Vaseline Toilet Soap and Veterinary Vaseline.9 By 1882 you could buy 17 products including Carbolated Vaseline, Vaseline Anti-Corrosive Paste, Vaseline Boot Paste and Vaseline Axle Paste.10
In 1886 the company advertised 26 products available in many different sizes.11
Some possible uses for Vaseline that were explored included embalming corpses12 and preserving eggs.13
Production was not always adequate. Shortages occurred in 1885 and
volume 5 no 37 NOVEMBER 2009
Pharmacy History Australia 35