Foamy ‘Head Washer’

Washing our hair under the shower, we hardly think about the fact that shampoo was invented just about 100 years ago. What did we use to wash our hair before the appearance of this everyday product? And who was the inventor-discoverer?

A brief chronicle of the invention of shampoo:

1890. A special mixture of soap and medicinal herbs was invented by the Englishman Casey Herbert. He names his powder mixture “Schaempoo” and releases it for sale. The product instantly flies off the shelves across Europe and becomes a bestseller.

1903. The pharmacist Hans Schwarzkopf from Berlin learns about Herbert’s invention. He decided to improve the recipe a bit, after which he released his first shampoo – violet. In addition, Schwarzkopf comes up with a branded packaging and his logo in the form of a “black head” – this is the literal translation of his last name. Thus, the first branded shampoo in history comes to life. However, it is still only in powder form.

1910. Schwarzkopf invents and starts producing the first liquid shampoo. Additionally, his line of shampoos already has several types for different hair types. Sales of the liquid shampoo go through the roof.

1930. The shampoo reaches America from Europe, and John Breck creates an entire line for different hair types. He releases his products under the “Breck Shampoo” brand and sells them at a low price. However, Breck’s products do not meet consumer demand – sales are practically nonexistent. Then Breck goes all in and adds advertising, which, as we know, is the “engine of trade.” He hires artist Charles Sheldon, who begins to create the advertising images that we are now familiar with. After the advertising slogan “Your hair will be soft as a baby’s” appears, shampoo sales skyrocket.

1931. Schwarzkopf does not give up! He invents the first shampoo that not only washes hair but also cares for it.

1934. Frenchman Eugène Schueller enters the battle of “inventors of shampoos of various kinds.” He buys a small soap-making factory. To scale his business, Schueller joins forces with L’Oreal, which at that time only produced hair dye. As a result of their collaboration, a shampoo called “Dop” is born. But sales do not go well… Schueller begins to investigate the reason for such a failure. After conducting surveys, he finds out that the reason is simple – a third of the French do not wash their hair at all! Schueller begins an educational campaign with adults and children – he convinces his fellow countrymen of the necessity of hair care. The outcome is predictable: the next generation of French people can no longer get by in everyday life without shampoos.

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