Exploits: this is how the 4th Earl of Sandwich invented the sandwich in the 18th century
This Tuesday, temperatures will drop drastically in Spain and the rain will stalk Madrid for four days, so -officially- this week the season of
sweaters, boots and, probably, Vicks Vaporub opens.
The
magical
ointment
that relieves congestion and coughs that is all the rage in much of the West during winter.
However, when
its inventor, the American Lunsford Richardson,
created it 130 years ago, he never imagined that his remedy could become so well known.
What's more, Richardson
passed away without seeing the benefits
of the Vicks Vaporub on his portfolio and assets.
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In 1880, the
Latin teacher
Lunsford Richardson grew bored with teaching.
He had taught for some years, but his true passion was not in pedagogy, but in
chemistry
.
Thus, Richardson decided to quit his job and become the
assistant to his brother-in-law, Dr. Vick,
who he helped prepare the medicines he prescribed.
But Richardson did not limit himself to preparing only the requested remedies, he also dared to
experiment
with other ingredients.
Thus, in a matter of 10 years, the pharmacist
created 21 drugs,
which were sold under the brand Remedios Familiares Vick.
According to the BBC, Richardson created
lozenges for coughs, flu, liver
and constipation.
However, his best invention was the Vicks Croup and Pneumonia Salve.
An ointment to relieve breathing difficulties, which she made after
her son Smith suffered from severe croup
and was relieved - only - through soothing vapors.
As a result, Richardson opted to experiment with various
menthol ingredients
from Japan and, in a stroke of luck, came up with the perfect recipe to create what is now known as Vicks Vaporub.
After the healing of his child, Richardson wanted to show the benefits of his products to the rest of his customers and these, impressed by the effectiveness of the ointment, spread the word.
Even so, the company was not satisfied with the moderate sales of the remedy, so they implemented
numerous advertising campaigns
to make it known.
In fact, according to Our State, Richardson would have come to offer
samples of his product through coupons in the newspaper
and would have even informed about its characteristics through different (unwanted) advertisements that he sent by mail.
Thus, during the 1910s, the ointment acquired vast fame and was even reinvented.
For example, in 1911,
Vicks renamed the product
Vicks Vaporub and began marketing it
in a blue bottle.
Although the ointment's true popularity soared seven years later, in 1918,
when the Spanish flu
wreaked havoc in the United States.
According to various media at the time, during that pandemic, the sales of the Vicks Vaporub went from $ 900,000 to $
2,900,000 in less than a year.
Which, in addition, would have made the company work day and night to meet the broad demand.
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But sadly, Lundsford Richardson failed to enjoy the benefits of his invention.
Because after reaching an incredible volume of sales, the pharmacist
died of pneumonia
in 1919. When he died, the city of Greensboro was dyed in mourning.
The businessman, who stood out for
his great faith in Christ,
was a well-loved man.
"He never met anyone in the street, young or old, black or white, without a smile," published the local newspaper on August 22 of that year.
On the other hand, many appreciated his
interest in the rights and welfare of black citizens,
as well as his large donations for a hospital.
Today, his remains rest at Green Hill Cemetery in Greensboro, where a plaque indicates that the inventor of the Vicks Vaporub lies there.
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