Which company was founded by William Procter and James Gamble in 1837?

Which company was founded by William Procter and James Gamble in 1837? The answer is Procter & Gamble.

Procter & Gamble was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1837 by William Procter and James Gamble. Procter was an English-born candlemaker, while Gamble, born in Ireland, was a soap maker. They became brothers-in-law after marrying sisters Olivia and Elizabeth Norris, and their father-in-law, Alexander Norris, encouraged them to combine their businesses.

The partnership made practical economic sense because both candle making and soap production relied on animal fats. By purchasing raw materials together, the new company could obtain supplies more efficiently. Procter & Gamble initially manufactured candles and soap, long before it became the multinational consumer-goods company associated with household and personal-care brands.

During the American Civil War, the company secured contracts to supply soap and candles to the Union Army. Those contracts increased production and introduced its products to soldiers from across the country. In the 1880s, P&G marketed Ivory, an inexpensive soap that floated in water. A common mix-up is confusing the founders’ surnames with the later brand portfolio: brands such as Tide, Pampers and Gillette were added much later.