Pro-Phy-Lac-Tic Brush Company

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

History[edit]

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.[1] By the late 1890s, they were making toothbrushes, aluminum goods, toilet items made from wood, composition brushes, and mirrors.[1] 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.[3] 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[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Sheffeld, Charles Arthur (1895). The History of Florence, Massachusetts: Including a Complete Account of the Northampton Association of Education and Industry. The Editor. p. 241.
  2. ^ Koleszar, Janice K. (1986). Florence, Massachusetts History 1895-1985. Florence, MA: Book Committee of the Florence Civic and Business Association. p. 2.
  3. ^ a b "Prophylactic Brush Sells Preferred - Has Unbroken Dividend Since 1887 - Is the Largest Maker of Tooth Brushes in the Country". The Wall Street Journal. September 5, 1924. p. 5.
  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. ^ "Knife Knotes 9". www.usmilitaryknives.com.


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