| Click here to view an ad from the 1950's |
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| 1923 |
Upon observing his wife applying wads of cotton to toothpicks, Leo Gerstenzang, the original founder of the Q-tips® Company, conceived the idea of manufacturing a ready-to-use cotton swab. He found the Leo Gerstenzang Infant Novelty Co., a firm which marketed baby care accessories. |
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| 1926 |
The product was originally called Baby Gays and in 1926, the labels were changed to read Q-tips® Baby Gays. Later the name Baby Gays was discarded and Q-tips® became the identifying mark for cotton swabs. The Q in Q-tips® stands for quality and the word tips describes the cotton swab at the end of the stick. |
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| 1948 |
Due to increased consumer demand, Q-tips®, Inc., moved its manufacturing facility from New York City to a new facility in Long Island City, New York. |
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| 1950's |
Q-tips® get recognized by Hollywood glamour and partner with America's top Hollywood makeup artist, Ern Westmore, to create the "Lesson in Loveliness with Q-tips®" booklet.
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| 1958 |
Q-tips® purchased Paper Sticks Ltd. of England, a manufacturer of paper sticks for the confectionery trades. Its machinery was subsequently brought to the United States and adapted to the manufacture of, and eventual introduction of Q-tips® "Paper Applicator" cotton swabs. This made Q-tips® cotton swabs available in both wooden and paper sticks. |
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| 1962 |
The demand for Q-tips® cotton products continued to grow and in 1962, the Q-tips® Company was acquired by Chesebrough-Ponds. The production facility in Long Island City, New York, was relocated to Jefferson City, Missouri. This plant continued to produce all Q-tips® cotton swab requirements for the domestic market until 1974. |
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| 1974 |
Chesebrough-Pond's moved a portion of Q-tips® cotton swabs production to Las Piedras, Puerto Rico. |
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| 1980's |
This period provided numerous growth opportunities and saw the transition to "100% cotton" for all Q-tips® cotton swabs. |
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| 1987 |
Unilever, the company founded in 1885 in England as Lever Brothers by grocer William Hesketh Lever and his brother James, acquires Chesebrough-Pond's including Q-tips® cotton swabs. |
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| 1995 |
Q-tips® Vanity Pack was introduced. |
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| 1998 |
Q-tips® Antimicrobial cotton swabs were launched. |
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| 2003 |
Q-tips® cotton swabs remains the market leader and continually searches for new and improved opportunities to serve consumers. |
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| 2007 |
Introduced the repackaged 30 count Purse Pack. Q-tips® cotton swabs remain the market leader in the cotton swab category. |
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