In 1897 Chemist, Felix Hoffmann at Bayer in Germany, synthesized a stable chemical that relieved his father's rheumatism. That chemical would become the active ingredient in aspirin named - "a" from acetyl, "spir" from the spirea plant (which yields salicin) and "in," a common suffix for medications. In it's original powder form Aspirin would quickly become the best selling drug in the world, and a boom for Bayer. In 1915 Aspirin was available in tablet form without a prescription from Bayer. However the success of Bayer Aspirin would not be seen until after WWI saw its use for the Spanish Flu, and the end of its trademark in the United States.
The trademark for Aspirin was lost in the Treaty of Versailles, after Germany's surrender. As part of the war reparations specified, Aspirin along with Heroin lost all status as registered trademarks in France, Russia, the UK, and the United States. From that moment on the drug could be sold as aspirin. Today the trademark for Aspirin is still honored on over 80 countries across the globe, but aspirin is generally the generic name used, even in those countries. No word on Bayer's ownership of the trademark on Heroin.
-Professor Walter
Comments