The Wicked Habit Of Vaseline's Founder

Vaseline has been saving skins for over a century now.

 It’s healing, soothing…sliding …ehem, nature, has been many a mum’s savior.

Whether it's chapped lips, or dry skin in winter, just like a responsible parent - Vaseline services it all.

But did you know about their interesting origin? That it was even used in WWI and WWII?

No? Read on, and I will unfold the whole history:

How This Whole Thing Started

In 1859, a 22-year-old American Chemist by the name of Robert Chesebrough lost his job. He was on the verge of bankruptcy.

*Sad background music and goosebumps*

The reason?

 His kerosene extracting job depleted - due to a newer and cheaper oil in Titusville, Pennsylvania.

 So, he took a leap of faith and spent all his savings on a ticket to Titusville to learn more about the new oil.

After reaching, he started touring the place and noticed something unusual.

 There appeared to be some gooey stuff on the drilling rods was interrupting the pump's efficiency. He saw workers repeatedly picking it away from the pump's joint.

Immediately, Chesebrough started investigating.

 He found on closer inspection, there was an irksome, wax-like sludge coming with the crude. This clogged the pump's joint, if not cleaned routinely.

One day Chesebrough overheard workers discussing how they used it as a healing substance for cuts or burns. His chemist brain instantly lit up.

With a bucket full, he went home to do his magic

He started purifying, refining, and distilling it right away. It took Chesebrough 10 years to get to the perfectly refined, odorless, and transparent gel, the one we call Vaseline today.

Chesebrough still needed healing proof of the gel. So, he started testing.

Instead of risking someone else, he used it on himself.

He would cut, stab, burn, and even pour acid on himself to apply the trusted gel to heal the wounds. Stupidity? Audacity? Ingenuity?

Surprisingly - the gel did the job!

And thus from a dirty black sludge, a pure, clear healing gel was born.

The Progress And Popularity

Once convinced of the miraculous gel, Chesebrough would help people in need. In 1870, Robert launched his first Vaseline factory. And within the next 2 years, the patent was granted.

However, he couldn't sell the jelly.

The reason?

The unconvinced and uninterested pharmacists, despite apparent healing proof, didn't care and rejected Chesebrough over and over.

But Chesebrough was a man of determination. His goals were high, and he trusted his gut.

He started giving away Vaseline on the road, but only to the people promising to apply it to their wounds.

He also demonstrated the healing qualities alongside his giveaways.

Within a year, Robert was overwhelmed with responses. He was able to employ 12 horse-and-buggy salesmen.

With their help, he started selling an ounce of jelly for a penny across NY.

Soon, the gel grew popular. Everyone around found it helpful. So people went to pharmacies asking for more.

But guess what? They didn't have any. But eventually, the pharmacies ordered it in a massive quantity. And the classy Chesebrough didn’t hold a grudge (there’s a clever boy).

However, Vaseline's medicinal success didn't last long. Later, the research found the gel had no other healing properties, except a slight antibacterial effect.

The good news is - it still helped people, and nobody claimed any side-effects.

The Naming

Controversies exist on how Chesebrough selected the name. And he did not dismiss any of it. Maybe it was a mix of all?

His friends say he dreamt about the name "vase." In a dream, he was working with his ex-wife's flower vases. Later he added "line" - a popular medical suffix of the time.

But his company members differ.

They say Robert was a scientific guy. So he formed the name from the German "Wasser," meaning water, and the Greek "Elaion," meaning olive oil.

Whichever it is, the love for Vaseline remained the same.

Chesebrough's Wicked Habit

Here's the wicked fact mentioned in the title.

Seeing all wounds heal, Robert went overboard. So much so, he would eat a spoonful of it every day.

Shocked? Stunned? Moved.

You're not alone.

No side-effect was found in his body.

More surprisingly - in his late 50s, when suffering from pleurisy, he got whole body Vaseline rubdowns by his nurse every day. Complete bonkers.

No idea if it was the Vaseline, but he recovered from that. Plus, went on to live another 40 years. Passing away at fine 96 years old.

Bizarre Uses And Usefulness

At first, people used it for more than just wounds.

It was a renowned rust-preventive. From razor blades to heavy machines – Vaseline saved them all. There were some unusual usages too.

For example: people removed chewing gum from hair with it. Also, it helped keep elbows and cuticles moist, and hair in place.

And it didn't stop there. Removing stains from wooden furniture, polishing them, keeping the leather goods moist, and removing dry paint – it helped with everything.

Fun fact - the WWI and WWII soldiers used it to heal small cuts and bruises.

So you can say - Vaseline has been to places.

It was a standard product that solved almost all antibacterial and moisturizing problems.

Last Words

Chesebrough created a miraculous gift.

It's not every day you build a million-dollar business out of a waste substance.

So, trust your gut and reach for your dreams, forging on through all adversity. Like Robert, it will drive you to the top of your field.