Pro-Phy-Lac-Tic Brush Company Explained

Pro-Phy-Lac-Tic Brush Company was a health care business established in 1866 in Florence, Massachusetts.

History

The Florence Manufacturing Company was founded in 1866 by George A. Burr, S.L. Hinckley, D.G. Littlefield, I.S. Parsons, and George A. Scott.[1] In its early years, the company produced lockets, mirrors, and toilet brushes. By the late 1890s, they were making toothbrushes, aluminum goods, toilet items made from wood, composition brushes, and mirrors. The company changed its name to Pro-Phy-Lac-Tic Brush Company in 1924.[2]

The Wall Street Journal reported the company was the largest producer of toothbrushes in the United States in 1924.[3] The company opened a factory in Shanghai, China with 600 workers in the early 20th century to manufacture brush bristles to send to the Florence location for final production. Makers of a highly advertised Pro-phy-lac-tic toothbrush,[4] the company was acquired by the Lambert Pharmaceutical Co. on February 19, 1930.[5] From 1887 - 1924 the corporation paid a regular dividend on its common stock.[6]

During World War II the company manufactured dummy plastic bayonets for the USN Mk 1 Dummy Training Rifle for the U.S. Navy.[7]

References

  1. Book: Sheffeld, Charles Arthur . The History of Florence, Massachusetts: Including a Complete Account of the Northampton Association of Education and Industry . 1895 . The Editor . 241 . en.
  2. Book: Koleszar, Janice K. . Florence, Massachusetts History 1895-1985 . Book Committee of the Florence Civic and Business Association . 1986 . Florence, MA . 2.
  3. News: September 5, 1924 . Prophylactic Brush Sells Preferred - Has Unbroken Dividend Since 1887 - Is the Largest Maker of Tooth Brushes in the Country . 5 . The Wall Street Journal.
  4. Pro-phy-lac-tic Brush Co., Wall Street Journal, September 3, 1924, pg. 3.
  5. Lambert's 1930 Sales 14% Under 1930 Record, Wall Street Journal, March 29, 1930, pg. 1.
  6. Prophylactic Brush, Wall Street Journal, October 8, 1924, pg. 13.
  7. Web site: Knife Knotes 9. www.usmilitaryknives.com.

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