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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.

The Family of Companies is focused on three business areas: Pharmaceuticals, MedTech and Vision.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Sanitary Napkins
1896-1897

Sanitary Protection Products

Employees manufacture the first mass-produced sanitary protection products for women, a huge step forward in women’s health.
Dental Floss tubes
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 The floss is originally made from left over suture silk.
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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.
James Wood Johnson
1910

James Wood Johnson

James Wood Johnson takes over the leadership of Johnson & Johnson until 1932.
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1924

The Company Enters the UK

Our first overseas operating company opens in the United Kingdom.
General Johnson
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.
General Robert Wood Johnson writes Our Credo
1943

Writing Our Credo

General Robert Wood Johnson writes Our Credo, which remains the guiding philosophy of Johnson & Johnson.
Scientists in a laboratory, black and white picture
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.
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1949

Ethicon, Inc.

Ethicon, Inc. is formed from the Company’s heritage suture business.
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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.
Philip Hofmann
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.
New world headquarters under construction
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.
James Burke
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.
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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.
Ralph Larsen
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.
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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.
First coronary sent
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.
William Weldon headshot
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.
Listerine
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.
Children smiling holding up peace signs with their hands
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.
Alex Gorskey headshot
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.
Newest Johnson & Johnson acquisition
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.
1886
1888
1888
1896-1897
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1924
1932
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1961
1963-1973
1978
1976-1989
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1990s
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2017