Did you know we first moved into the health category back in 1933?

Dettol was our first introduction to the health category (you can find out all about Dettol's history here) back in the early 1930s. The brand was such a huge success that, for the next 40 years, our focus was mainly in health and personal care.

  • Dettolin mouthwash was launched in 1935
  • Steradent joined the Reckitt family in 1937
  • Then came Disprin (1948), Codis (1952) and Nulon hand cream (1953)

From here, acquisitions came thick and fast, with a host of new brands joining the fold including Veet, which was originally launched in 1922 and joined Reckitt in 1969 - as well as Gaviscon (1970) and Bonjela in 1973.

Did you know that Gaviscon was discovered by accident?

Back in the 1960s, a Swedish radiologist researching X-ray contrast media came across a formulation that formed a 'viscous raft' over gastric contents of the stomach. With more research and a little bit of innovative thinking, he realised that this could be used to tackle age-old problems: heartburn and indigestion. A happy accident, indeed.

And so, in 1965 Gaviscon was first launched (by Ferring) in Sweden.

Colleagues' untold stories

Hear from: David Gerard Vella,R&D NA Project Manager

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Reckitt Benckiser Group plc published this content on 03 December 2021 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 03 December 2021 13:21:06 UTC.