Which company was founded in 1876 by Colonel Eli Lilly?

Eli Lilly and Company was founded in 1876 by Colonel Eli Lilly, a pharmaceutical chemist and Union Army veteran.

Lilly established the company in Indianapolis, Indiana, after becoming dissatisfied with inconsistent drug quality. He emphasized reliable manufacturing and accurate preparation, helping distinguish the young firm from many nineteenth-century medicine makers. The company initially produced pharmaceutical products such as quinine and gelatin-coated pills.

Eli Lilly and Company later became a major global drug manufacturer. Its medicines have included insulin products, antibiotics, psychiatric drugs, and treatments for diabetes and other conditions. The company's large market value has been strongly influenced by demand for newer medicines, including drugs in its diabetes and obesity portfolios.

The founder's military title is part of his name in many historical references, but he was not the founder of the unrelated Lilly Endowment. That philanthropic organization was created much later by members of the Lilly family using stock from the pharmaceutical company.