William Procter (candlemaker) and James Gamble (soapmaker) found Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Builds scale in soap and candles; supplies soap to the Union Army during the American Civil War, accelerating growth and manufacturing capability.

Introduces Ivory soap (“99 44/100% pure”), becoming a flagship mass-market brand.

Implements early employee welfare/profit-sharing practices, supporting retention and productivity.

Expands product portfolio beyond core soaps/candles; reaches dozens of product lines by the end of the decade.

Continues national distribution expansion and brand building in packaged consumer goods.

Strengthens nationwide marketing and distribution; broadens soap categories and household staples.

Launches Crisco, a major packaged food innovation and one of the first widely marketed shortenings.

Establishes more formal consumer research and brand management practices to support mass marketing.

Introduces Dreft, an early synthetic detergent for home laundry, marking a pivot toward detergent chemistry.

Develops “soap opera” radio sponsorships as a signature marketing approach, tying entertainment to household brands.

Launches Tide, a breakthrough heavy-duty synthetic laundry detergent; helps redefine the modern detergents category.

Rapid expansion in detergents and home care; scales manufacturing and advertising, especially via television.

Introduces Crest toothpaste (with fluoride clinically shown to help prevent cavities), expanding into oral care leadership.

Grows internationally and adds new household and personal care innovations; continues R&D investment and brand portfolio expansion.

Accelerates international operations and diversifies across beauty, health, and household categories, building a multi-category consumer packaged goods footprint.

Acquires Norwich Eaton Pharmaceuticals (makers of Pepto-Bismol), strengthening the health care segment.

Introduces/expands major personal care and household franchises; refines brand management and global supply capabilities.

Launches Always (feminine care), becoming a major global category brand over time.

Deepens globalization; increases emphasis on innovation platforms and productivity to compete in fast-growing international markets.

Acquires Iams (pet nutrition), entering/expanding pet care.

Acquires Shulton’s consumer business (including Old Spice), strengthening men’s grooming.

Acquires Clairol (hair color), boosting beauty portfolio and salon/retail presence.

Acquires Gillette, adding global leaders such as Gillette, Duracell, and Braun; significantly increases P&G’s scale and strengthens grooming.

Expands in emerging markets; continues integration of large acquisitions and global category leadership.

Increases focus on productivity, supply chain modernization, and prioritizing top-performing categories/brands.

Announces and executes a major portfolio simplification to concentrate on a smaller set of leading brands.

Sells a large group of beauty brands to Coty (often described as ~40+ brands), marking a pivotal step in streamlining.

Exits/merges parts of the fragrance business with Coty; continues sharpening beauty focus around core franchises.

Emphasizes “irresistible superiority” (product, packaging, communication, retail execution) and expands e-commerce capabilities.

Navigates pandemic-driven demand shifts; strengthens supply resilience, employee safety protocols, and category leadership in home care, health, and hygiene-related consumption.

Accelerates digital transformation: data-driven marketing, e-commerce execution, and automation in manufacturing and planning.

Manages inflationary and supply-chain volatility via pricing, productivity programs, and innovation while maintaining focus on core daily-use categories.

Operates as a global FMCG leader centered on a streamlined portfolio across Fabric & Home Care, Baby/Feminine/Family Care, Beauty, Grooming, and Health Care, built on decades of branded consumer-product innovation originating in soaps and detergents.