William Hereford
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Our heritage
Discover Johnson & Johnson’s long history of healthcare innovation.
We believe good health is the foundation of vibrant lives, thriving communities and forward progress. That’s why for more than 135 years, we have aimed to keep people well at every age and every stage of life. Learn about our history.
Our stories
Read behind the scenes details of how we’ve worked to improve the health and lives of people worldwide.
Company timeline
Beginning with the 1876 World’s Fair, discover key moments in Johnson & Johnson’s history.
From the archives
Learn about our iconic and pioneering products, and see some of our advertisements through the years.
Highlights from our history
The legacy of Dr. Paul Janssen: How a “funny idea” helped change the course of modern medicine
When the Belgian physician created his research lab in the 1950s, he did it largely on his own. But it didn’t take long for the medical community to realize the then 26-year-old was on to something profound. Over the course of his long and esteemed career, Dr. Paul, as he was known, coined more than 100 patents and developed dozens of life-changing medications.
Edward Mead Johnson, a businessman with a penchant for helping others
The brother of Johnson & Johnson cofounders Robert Wood Johnson and James Wood Johnson, Edward Mead Johnson led the company’s sales and marketing division in the 19th century. In 1898, Edward Mead left Johnson & Johnson, taking with him the company’s digestive products line, a business that would eventually become a leading global company in the field of infant and child nutrition.
More than 100 years of championing women’s health
Supporting the well-being of people around the world is a tenet that underscores all the work the company does. From must-have educational manuals to cutting-edge contraception, explore how Johnson & Johnson has been advocating for women’s health since the company’s inception more than a century ago.
Immerse yourself in our heritage
