The name "Vaseline" is derived from a combination of German and Greek roots. According to the manufacturer, it comes from German Wasser meaning "water" and Greek έλαον (elaion) meaning "oil".
Understanding the Name's Origin
The etymology of "Vaseline" offers an insight into how the product was perceived and named by its creator, the Chesebrough Manufacturing Company. The name, a blend of German and Greek, was meant to capture the essence of this new petroleum jelly.
Here is a breakdown:
- Wasser (German): Translates to "water".
- έλαον (elaion) (Greek): Translates to "oil".
By combining "water" and "oil" the name aimed to imply a unique composition or processing involving these two elements, even though it is a petroleum-based product rather than a true combination of water and oil.
History of Vaseline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1859 | Robert Chesebrough discovered petroleum jelly while visiting oil fields in Pennsylvania. |
| 1870 | Chesebrough began marketing petroleum jelly under the name "Vaseline." |
| 1955 | Chesebrough Manufacturing Company merged with Pond's. |
| 1987 | Unilever purchased the Chesebrough-Pond's company. |
Key Takeaways
- The name "Vaseline" combines German (*Wasser*) and Greek (*elaion*) words.
- This was a marketing strategy to indicate the unique nature of the product.
- The Chesebrough Manufacturing Company initially produced the product before merging with Pond's and being acquired by Unilever.
