Invention of

Vaseline

Sonali Poojara
084
SYITM-B
 Introduction
• Vaseline, also known as petroleum jelly, is a
widely recognized and versatile product that
has been a household staple for over a
century. It was first developed in the 19th
century .
• By Robert Chesebrough, an American
chemist, and has since become a ubiquitous
item found in many homes and used for
various purposes.
• Vaseline is an American brand of petroleum
jelly-based products owned by transnational
company Unilever. Products include plain
petroleum jelly and a selection of skin
creams, soaps, lotions, cleansers, and
deodorants.
• This “Wonder Jelly” has been healing dry
skin for over 150 years. The name "vaseline"
is said by the manufacturer to be derived from
German word Wasser "water" + Greek word
Uses of Vaseline
• Skin Moisturization
• Lip Care
• Tattoo aftercare
• Healing minor cuts and burns
• Makeup Remover
• Eczema and Skin Conditions
• Cuticle care
• Hair Styling
• First Aid kit
• Leather Conditioning
• Rust Prevention
• Cosmetic Enhancements
 • Full Name: Robert Augustus Chesebrough
• Birth: He was born on January 9, 1837, in London, England.
• Education and Early Career: Chesebrough attended the
University of Rochester in New York, where he studied
chemistry. After completing his education, he worked as a
chemist.
• In 1870, Chesebrough patented the process for making
petroleum jelly and began marketing it under the brand name

Inventor of "Vaseline.“
• Later Life and Legacy: Robert Chesebrough continued to

Vaseline work on various inventions and innovations throughout his

life. He passed away on September 8, 1933, at the age of 96.
• Chesebrough's invention of Vaseline revolutionized the
skincare and pharmaceutical industries. His product provided
an affordable and effective solution for a wide range of
applications. Robert Chesebrough's pioneering work in the
development and marketing of Vaseline has left a lasting
legacy.
 Invention of Vaseline
Robert Augustus
Chesebrough, a 22-year-old
chemist, traveled to
Titusville, Pennsylvania and
discovered something
amazing. He learned about a
natural, waxy ingredient, rich
in minerals, which had
visible skin-repairing
properties.
People started to discover
the safe and diverse uses of
pure Vaseline, and soon
nearly every household in
North America had a jar in
their medicine cabinet. “Handiest Thing In The
Workers exposed to extreme House”,used both for first aid Reader's Digest called
cold weather used it to and cosmetically, it became a Vaseline® "The Wonder Jelly".
relieve their dry, chapped ubiquitous household brand.
skin.

1870 1916 1937 1970s

1859 1880 1920s 1950s

In 1870, the product we Vaseline became a staple for

know and use today was During WWII, soldiers Vaseline® Intensive Care™
the American soldiers
officially born as sustained serious injuries Lotion was launched in the
fighting in Europe. Ideal for
Chesebrough began to from burns, so Chesebrough USA in 1968, for both dry
soothing sore feet in the
distribute this pure Manufacturing Company was skin, and as an after-sun
trenches, it was in such high
petroleum jelly under the commissioned by the moisturizer.
demand that many young
brand name of Vaseline® – Surgeon General to produce
men would write home,
one of the first branded a sterile antiseptic dressing
asking their families to send
products in North America. containing petroleum jelly.
more.
 Invention of Vaseline
Aiming to provide skin healthcare to
everybody, everywhere, the Vaseline®
After the great success with body brand partnered with Direct Relief to
lotions, Vaseline® began to expand its create the Vaseline® Healing Project.
offering by introducing Vaseline® Lip We’ve been providing people around
Therapy® and Vaseline® Hand & Nail the world access to critical skin health
Formula. care in areas with acute needs.
Skin Health For All
Vaseline® reached its first goal of
helping to heal the skin of over five
million people worldwide through The
Vaseline® Healing Project (VHP).

2011 2018 2022

1980/90s 2015 2019

We switched the plastic material used in
our Vaseline® Healing Jelly jars from
polystyrene (PS) to polypropelene (PP).
Lotion packs were reengineered to use
less plastic, avoiding the equivalent of
2.3M of Vaseline® 20.3oz bottles (the
redesigned format) (130 metric tons of
plastic) in the US from 2018 to 2022.
Vaseline's Intensive Care Lotions were
relaunched with new packaging,
improved formulas and bottles made of
50% recycled plastic. More details on
our approach to plastic here.
 Idea Generation of Vaseline
• Discovery of Rod Wax: In the mid-19th century, Chesebrough, a chemist and entrepreneur, learned about a substance known as
"rod wax." Rod wax was a byproduct of oil drilling, and it would accumulate on the drilling equipment. Workers noticed that
this substance had skin-soothing properties and used it to heal cuts, burns, and other minor skin irritations.
• Scientific Curiosity: Chesebrough became intrigued by the healing properties of rod wax and wondered if he could turn it into
a useful and marketable product. He began experimenting with the substance to understand its composition and potential
applications.
• Purification Process: Chesebrough developed a purification process involving distillation and filtration to refine the rod wax.
This process removed impurities and odor, resulting in a clear and odorless jelly-like substance.
• Observation of Healing Properties: Chesebrough didn't just rely on anecdotal evidence. He conducted extensive research and
experiments to confirm the skin-healing properties of his refined product. He tested the substance on himself and others,
documenting its effectiveness in treating minor wounds and skin issues.
• Patenting and Marketing: In 1872, Chesebrough patented his refined product as "petroleum jelly" or "Vaseline." He began
marketing it as a versatile and effective skin protectant and wound healer. He traveled extensively to promote his product and
demonstrate its benefits.
• Commercial Success: Chesebrough's efforts paid off, and Vaseline quickly gained popularity for its various applications. Its
use spread from medical settings to households, and it became a staple in both medical and cosmetic industries.

The idea for Vaseline emerged from a combination of Chesebrough's scientific curiosity, innovative thinking, and recognition of
the practical value of a substance that had been used informally by others. His dedication to refining the product, conducting
research, and promoting its benefits played a crucial role in turning a natural observation into a successful commercial product.
Problem Tackled by Inventor of Vaseline

Skin Dry and

Versatile Skin
Irritations Chapped
Skin Care Protection
and Wounds Skin
 Conclusion
• In conclusion, the invention of Vaseline, also known as petroleum jelly, stands
as a testament to human ingenuity and the potential to transform everyday
observations into groundbreaking innovations. Robert Augustus Chesebrough,
the inventor of Vaseline, demonstrated how a keen scientific mind and an
entrepreneurial spirit can lead to the creation of a product that addresses a
range of skin-related issues.
• Chesebrough's journey began with the discovery of a simple substance called
rod wax, which was being used to heal minor cuts, burns, and skin irritations.
Chesebrough transformed the natural substance into a refined, clear, and
odorless jelly-like material.
• Chesebrough's tireless marketing efforts, which included personal
demonstrations of the product's effectiveness, played a pivotal role in its rapid
adoption and commercial success.
• Vaseline emerged as a solution to a range of skin concerns, from
moisturization and wound healing to protection against environmental
elements. The invention of Vaseline not only improved the lives of countless
individuals but also exemplified the power of innovation rooted in curiosity
and practicality.
 • google.com
• wiipedia.com

References • vaseline.com
• unilever.com/brands/vaseline
• rd.com (reader's digest)
• popsugar.com
• huffpost.com
Thank You