At a company that’s been around since 1932, sometimes we like to reminisce about “the good ‘ol days”. We keep a few reminders around of when the company was in its youth, and we decided it would be fun to share some of that history with you.
People collect all kinds of things: stamps, coins, artwork, etc. But doesn’t it seem more fitting for us to collect something like, oh say, chemicals? Sure, it might seem like an odd thing to save old chemicals, but it’s interesting to recall former chemical companies and see how much labeling regulations have changed over the years.
We have a small collection set aside and a little history on each of them. Enjoy our Chemical Museum!
Methyl Green from The Coleman & Bell Company (C & B) in Norwood, Ohio. C & B was formerly known as National Stain & Reagent Co. The Coleman & Bell Company was incorporated August 6, 1921. A.B. Coleman was the President and W.H. Bell was the Secretary & Treasurer. Eventually, it became Matheson, Coleman & Bell Company.
Methyl Green from Kodak (Eastman Kodak Co.) in Rochester, NY. In 1946, Kodak created their first color film that photographers could process themselves using newly marketed chemical kits. In 1953, Kodak formed a new subsidiary, Eastman Chemical Products, Inc. In the 90’s, Fisher Scientific acquired Eastman Kodak Company’s organic-chemicals business.
Carmine from Aldrich Chemical Company, Inc in Milwaukee, WI. Aldrich Chemical Company was founded in 1951 with the production and distribution of a single proprietary chemical: 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). Aldrich primarily served organic chemists. Aldrich Chemical Company merged with Sigma International, Ltd in 1975 forming Sigma-Aldrich Corporation.
Eriochrome Black T from Fisher Scientific Chemical Manufacturing Division in Fair Lawn, NJ. Fisher Scientific was founded in 1902, originally called the “Scientific Materials Co”. In 1955, Fisher established a chemical manufacturing facility in Fair Lawn, NJ. In the 90’s, Fisher acquired Eastman Kodak Company’s organic-chemicals business.
Would love more information about what happened to MCB, at least for History’s sake!!!
Jordan, we would love to know more, too! Not much information out there on a few of these companies, but some of their old ads are pretty interesting!
Nice collection of chemicals from various manufacturers. As a retired chemist, I remember in my younger days working in labs where the chemicals (especially the inorganic ones) were from mainly three companies: J.T. Baker, Mallinckrodt (I still miss their indented bottles–StorMor–like your dextrose bottle above) and Matheson, Coleman & Bell (MCB). I too would like to know what happened to MCB. Ah, the good old days!
P.S. Have you managed to obtain any old J.T. Baker chemical bottles?
We haven’t come across any of the old J.T. Baker bottles, but we’re not counting out the possibility!
MCB was bought by E.Merck of Darmstadt, Germany. Then they bought Harleco (The Hartman Ledden Co. of Phila. PA.). I worked for Harleco and EMD ( as E. Merck was known in the US and Canada – they cannot call themselves Merck in North America) for 29 years. MCB and Harleco are no more. EMD still exists in the Us and Canada and throughout the rest of the world where it is allowed to use the name of Merck ( do not confuse with the US Merck).
John, thank you for the history and info!
Randomly came across this. I’m a retired lawyer (with a BS in Chemistry) who worked for MCB 1973-75 while going to law school at night. Despite “Manufacturing Chemists” in its name it was primarily a repackager, and I bought all of the inorganics