Emerson Drug Company
Title
Description
1889-1956/1975
Emerson Drug Company was founded in 1890, two years after Isaac E. Emerson had an idea for a headache-curing medicine while working at a Baltimore drugstore. Emerson trademarked Bromo-Seltzer in 1889. An 1899 ad touting Bromo-Seltzer’s ability cure all headaches can be seen below. An excellent example of Emerson’s iconic cobalt blue bottles was found at the Charnley-Persky House in 2015 and can be seen below. Bromo-Seltzer was made with acetanilide (now known to be poisonous); after the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906, Emerson was forced to list all of its ingredients on the labels of its products. Despite complaints, Emerson never changed Bromo-Seltzer’s formula. Emerson’s medicinal and glass plants were sold to Warner-Lambert Pharmaceutical Company in 1956. It is unclear in Warner-Lambert continued to produce Bromo-Seltzer, but all Bromides were withdrawn from the U.S. market in 1975.
RRH
Emerson Drug Company was founded in 1890, two years after Isaac E. Emerson had an idea for a headache-curing medicine while working at a Baltimore drugstore. Emerson trademarked Bromo-Seltzer in 1889. An 1899 ad touting Bromo-Seltzer’s ability cure all headaches can be seen below. An excellent example of Emerson’s iconic cobalt blue bottles was found at the Charnley-Persky House in 2015 and can be seen below. Bromo-Seltzer was made with acetanilide (now known to be poisonous); after the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906, Emerson was forced to list all of its ingredients on the labels of its products. Despite complaints, Emerson never changed Bromo-Seltzer’s formula. Emerson’s medicinal and glass plants were sold to Warner-Lambert Pharmaceutical Company in 1956. It is unclear in Warner-Lambert continued to produce Bromo-Seltzer, but all Bromides were withdrawn from the U.S. market in 1975.
RRH
Creator
Rebecca S. Graff (photograph)
Rights
Rebecca S. Graff (photograph)
Public Domain (advertisement)
Public Domain (advertisement)