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Our Heritage
Johnson & Johnson was founded over 135 years ago. Since then, we have been developing new ideas and products that have transformed human health and well-being. Every invention, every product and every breakthrough has been powered by generations of employees who are inspired to make a difference. Their motivation is simply to improve peoples’ lives.
1886
New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S.
Three brothers, Robert Wood Johnson, James Wood Johnson and Edward Mead Johnson, found Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S.
1888
Antiseptic Wound Treatment
The Company publishes Modern Methods of Antiseptic Wound Treatment, which quickly becomes one of the standard teaching texts for antiseptic surgery. It helps spread the practice of sterile surgery in the U.S. and around the world.
1888
First Commercial First Aid Kits
Johnson & Johnson pioneers the first commercial first aid kits. The initial kits are designed to help railroad workers, but soon becomes the standard in treating injuries.
1896-1897
Sanitary Protection Products
Employees manufacture the first mass-produced sanitary protection products for women, a huge step forward in women’s health.
1898
Dental Floss
The Company is the first to mass produce dental floss to make it affordable so that people can take better care of their teeth. The floss is originally made from left over suture silk.
1901
The First First Aid Manuals
As part of its commitment to first aid, Johnson & Johnson publishes the first First Aid Manuals, using proven best practices from leading physicians. The manuals are packaged with the Company’s First Aid Kits.
1910
James Wood Johnson
James Wood Johnson takes over the leadership of Johnson & Johnson until 1932.
1924
The Company Enters the UK
Our first overseas operating company opens in the United Kingdom.
1932
General Johnson
Robert Wood Johnson II, son of the Company founder by the same name, begins leadership of Johnson & Johnson. Known as General Johnson, he transforms the Company into a global decentralized Family of Companies.
1943
Writing Our Credo
General Robert Wood Johnson writes Our Credo, which remains the guiding philosophy of Johnson & Johnson.
1944
Johnson & Johnson Goes Public
Dr. Philip Levine, the discoverer of the human rH factor, joins Ortho Research Laboratories, creating the beginnings of the worldwide diagnostics business. Johnson & Johnson goes public, with a listing on the New York Stock Exchange.
1949
Ethicon, Inc.
Ethicon, Inc. is formed from the Company’s heritage suture business.
1961
Janssen Pharmaceutica Joins the Family of Companies
Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V.in Belgium joins the Family of Companies. Its founder, Dr. Paul Janssen, is recognized as one of the most innovative and prolific pharmaceutical researchers of the 20th century.
1963-1973
New Treatments
Under Chairman and CEO Philip B. Hofmann’s leadership, operating companies launch new treatments for schizophrenia, family planning and personal care.
1978
New World Headquarters
Chairman and CEO Richard B. Sellars announces plans to build new World Headquarters in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and forms a public-private partnership to revitalize the city.
1976-1989
New Areas of Health
During James E. Burke’s tenure and CEO, the Company enters new areas of health, such as vision care, mechinical wound closure and diabetes management, and opens the first operating Companies in China and Egypt.
1987
Introducing ACUVUE®
The vision care business introduces ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses, the first disposable contact lenses that can be worn for up to a week, thrown away and replaced with a fresh pair. The lenses eliminate the need for cleaning, disinfecting solutions and storage. Later, 1-DAY ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses become the first daily disposable contact lens.
1989-2002
Further Expansion
Under Ralph S. Larsen’s leadership as Chairman and CEO, Neutrogena Corporation, Kodak’s Clinical Diagnostics business, Cordis Corporation and Centocor join the Family of Companies; Expansion continues into Russia and Eastern Europe.
1990s
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Ethicon Endo-Surgery pioneers minimally invasive surgery, which uses very small incisions and helps patients recover faster than with traditional surgery.
1994
First Coronary Stent
The development of the first coronary stent revolutionizes cardiology. Coronary stents keep the vessels open so that blood can flow to the heart. Later, Cordis Corporation produces the first stents which continuously release a drug into the artery walls to prevent them from clogging up again.
2002
New Therapeutic Areas
William C. Weldon becomes Chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson, only the eighth person to lead the Company since its founding. Under his leadership, the Company enters new therapeutic areas such as HIV/AIDS, and health and wellness.
2006
Pfizer Consumer Healthcare
Johnson & Johnson acquires Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, which brings in heritage consumer brands such as LISTERINE® Antiseptic (first formulated in 1879) and more.
2011
125 Years of Caring
Johnson & Johnson celebrates 125 years of caring and looks to the next 125 years of transforming care for patients, consumers and communities around the world.
2012
Ninth CEO Appointed
Alex Gorsky is appointed Chief Executive Officer of Johnson & Johnson. As only the ninth CEO in our history, he continues a legacy of leadership.
2017
Largest Acquisition in our Company History
Johnson & Johnson acquires Actelion, a biotech company based in Allschwil, in the canton of Basel-Country, for approximately USD 30 billion. It is the largest acquisition in the history of Johnson & Johnson.