Which company did William Procter and James Gamble establish in Cincinnati in 1837?

William Procter and James Gamble established Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati in 1837.

Procter was a candle maker and Gamble was a soap maker. They married sisters Olivia and Elizabeth Norris, whose father encouraged the two men to form a partnership. The new company combined their manufacturing businesses during a period when soap and candles were commonly produced from similar raw materials.

The company’s first major expansion came through contracts to supply soap and candles to the Union Army during the American Civil War. Afterward, Procter & Gamble introduced branded consumer products and invested heavily in advertising.

The company later became known for household brands such as Tide, Pampers, and Crest. Its famous “soap opera” association began when it sponsored serialized radio and television programs aimed at homemakers.