Old Spice

The first Old Spice® product, called Early American Old Spice for women, was introduced in 1937, closely followed by Old Spice for men in 1938. The Old Spice products were manufactured by the Shulton Company that was founded in 1934 by William Lightfoot Schultz.

Early American Old Spice was developed around a colonial theme. When Old Spice was introduced, Schultz was interested in maintaining a colonial framework for those products and chose a nautical theme for Old Spice. Thus, colonial sailing ships were used as a trademark. Through continuous use and advertising, the various ships have become a valuable trademark identifying the Old Spice product for men.

The original ships used on the packaging were the Grand Turk and the Friendship. Other ships used on Old Spice packaging include the Wesley, Salem, Birmingham and Hamilton.

Procter & Gamble purchased the Old Spice fragrances, skin care, antiperspirant, and deodorant products from the Shulton Company in June 1990.

Origin of Crest Toothpaste

The major ingredient in Crest was discovered by accident when a student left a sample in the furnace too long and when discovered, found that it made it possible to mix the ingredient with fluoride. At first it used stannous fluoride, marketed as "Fluoristan" (this was also the original brand name it was sold as. Later it changed from "Fluoristan" to "Crest with Fluoristan"). The composition of the toothpaste had been developed by Drs. Muhler, Harry Day, and William H. Nebergall at Indiana University, and was patented by Nebergall.

Procter & Gamble paid royalties from use of the patent and thus financed a new dental research institute at the university. The active ingredient of Crest was changed in 1981 to sodium monofluorophosphate, or "Fluoristat". Today Crest toothpastes use sodium fluoride, or "Dentifrice with Fluoristat". Recently introduced Crest Pro-Health, uses stannous fluoride again and an abrasive whitener together called "Polyfluorite".

Disposable Diaper Double Duty

Procter and Gamble may have developed disposable diapers, but now they have found a new life. Diapers keep baby bottoms dry because they absorb liquids. They can also be used in planters. Cut strips of unused diapers and place on the bottom of the pot before adding soil. They absorb water and keep plants hydrated longer as they slowly release the water to the soil on top.