COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 2841

Soap and Other Detergents

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

20companies1875–1991founding years20still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedAmerican Safety Razor CompanyFoundedAmerican Safety Razor Company
1875
FoundedKao CorporationFoundedKao Corporation
1887
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedElizabeth Arden Co.FoundedElizabeth Arden Co.
1911
FoundedThe Clorox CompanyFoundedThe Clorox Company
1913
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedThe Dial Corp.FoundedThe Dial Corp.
1926
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedHoechst A.G.FoundedHoechst A.G.
1952
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedNeutrogena CorporationFoundedNeutrogena Corporation
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedAkzo Nobel N.V.FoundedAkzo Nobel N.V.
1969
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
FoundedOrkla A/SFoundedOrkla A/S
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Lever Brothers Company →
Active
Lever Brothers Company is one of the largest manufacturers of soaps and detergents in the United States.
Lever Brothers Company →
Active
Lever Brothers Company is one of the largest manufacturers of soaps and detergents in the United States.
American Safety Razor Company →
Active · founded 1875
American Safety Razor Company (ASR) is a leading manufacturer and marketer of brand-name and private-label personal…
American Safety Razor Company →
Active · founded 1875
American Safety Razor Company (ASR) is a leading manufacturer and marketer of brand-name and private-label personal…
Kao Corporation →
Active · founded 1887 · Japan
Kao Corporation, often called the Procter & Gamble of Japan, is one of Japan's leaders in personal care products,…
Kao Corporation →
Active · founded 1887 · Japan
Kao Corporation, often called the Procter & Gamble of Japan, is one of Japan's leaders in personal care products,…
Elizabeth Arden Co. →
Active · founded 1911
For decades Elizabeth Arden Co.
Elizabeth Arden Co. →
Active · founded 1911
For decades Elizabeth Arden Co.
The Clorox Company →
Active · founded 1913
Although best known for the household bleach that bears the firm's name, The Clorox Company is a diversified…
The Clorox Company →
Active · founded 1913
Although best known for the household bleach that bears the firm's name, The Clorox Company is a diversified…
The Dial Corp. →
Active · founded 1926
The Dial Corp.
The Dial Corp. →
Active · founded 1926
The Dial Corp.
Hoechst A.G. →
Active · founded 1952 · Federal Republic of Germany
With operations in 120 nations around the globe, Hoechst (pronounced "herckst") A.G.
Hoechst A.G. →
Active · founded 1952 · Federal Republic of Germany
With operations in 120 nations around the globe, Hoechst (pronounced "herckst") A.G.
Neutrogena Corporation →
Active · founded 1962
An independent company until its 1994 acquisition by Johnson & Johnson, Neutrogena Corporation manufactures and markets…
Neutrogena Corporation →
Active · founded 1962
An independent company until its 1994 acquisition by Johnson & Johnson, Neutrogena Corporation manufactures and markets…
Akzo Nobel N.V. →
Active · founded 1969 · Netherlands
The Dutch company Akzo Nobel N.V.
Akzo Nobel N.V. →
Active · founded 1969 · Netherlands
The Dutch company Akzo Nobel N.V.
Orkla A/S →
Active · founded 1991 · Norway
Orkla A/S is the largest branded consumer goods group and food and beverage producer in Scandinavia and one of the five…
Orkla A/S →
Active · founded 1991 · Norway
Orkla A/S is the largest branded consumer goods group and food and beverage producer in Scandinavia and one of the five…
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