#49: A Spoonful a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
Robert Chesebrough (1837-1933) was an American inventor and entrepreneur best known for creating Vaseline, a revolutionary petroleum-based product with a wide range of uses. Chesebrough’s journey to inventing Vaseline began when he observed oil workers using a substance called “rod wax” to heal their skin abrasions and burns. Intrigued by its medicinal properties, he spent years perfecting a purification process to create what he called “Wonder Jelly.”
In 1870, he patented this product as Vaseline, derived from the German word “Wasser,” meaning water, and the Greek word “elaion,” meaning oil. Vaseline quickly gained popularity for its healing and moisturizing properties, becoming a household staple and even used by the military during World War II. Chesebrough’s innovative spirit and dedication to his creation turned Vaseline into a global success and an enduring brand in skincare and healthcare.