Bayer

Here’s an interesting bit of trivia I unearthed last week: in trying to prove to somebody at work that aspirin is a coal tar derivative, I found out that Bayer developed and registered the drug as a trademark in 1899.

By itself, that’s not so interesting, I know. However, it turns out Bayer also discovered, trademarked and marketed another drug: heroin. “From 1898 through to 1910 it was marketed as a non-addictive morphine substitute and cough medicine for children.”

Yikes. Of course, then the thought of “Bayer Heroin” kept me amused for a bit:

Bayer Heroin

Comments

3 responses to “Bayer”

  1. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    Where DID you find that image 🙂

  2. Jon Avatar

    Find? Bah! I made it, of course. 🙂

  3. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    of course!