Eli Lilly was founded in Indianapolis in 1876.
Colonel Eli Lilly, a pharmaceutical chemist and former Union Army officer, established the company in Indianapolis, Indiana, in May 1876. He wanted to produce medicines with more consistent quality and reliability than many preparations available at the time.
The company’s early work included gelatin-coated pills and improved formulations. Over the following decades, Eli Lilly became a major producer of insulin, antibiotics, and other medicines. Its long connection with Indianapolis helped make the city an important center for pharmaceutical research and manufacturing.
The company is now formally known as Eli Lilly and Company. Its products have included insulin, Prozac, Cialis, and newer medicines for diabetes, obesity, and other conditions. Eli Lilly’s historical name refers to its founder, not to a place or a flower.