Our Heritage

Three brothers, Robert Wood Johnson, James Wood Johnson and Edward Mead Johnson, found Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S.

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.

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.

Employees manufacture the first mass-produced sanitary protection products for women, a huge step forward in women’s health.

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 The floss is originally made from left over suture silk.

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 takes over the leadership of Johnson & Johnson until 1932.

Our first overseas operating company opens in the United Kingdom.

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, which remains the guiding philosophy of Johnson & Johnson.

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.

Ethicon, Inc. is formed from the Company’s heritage suture business.

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.

Under Chairman and CEO Philip B. Hofmann's leadership, operating companies launch new treatments for schizophrenia, family planning and personal care.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ethicon Endo-Surgery pioneers minimally invasive surgery, which uses very small incisions and helps patients recover faster than with traditional surgery.

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 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.

Johnson & Johnson acquires Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, which brings in heritage consumer brands such as LISTERINE^® Antiseptic (first formulated in 1879) and more.

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 Gorsky is appointed Chief Executive Officer of Johnson & Johnson. As only the ninth CEO in our history, he continues a legacy of leadership.

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.