Ivory Soap Turns 125

Ivory Soap, known for more than a century for its purity, versatility and ability to float, is celebrating its 125th anniversary. As part of the festivities, Ivory is launching Ivory Aloe bar and body wash in July, the first major formula change in the bar soap in 125 years, according to parent company Procter & Gamble. Additionally, the Smithsonian Museum of American History has launched an online archive of Ivory materials at http://www.americanhistory.si.edu/archives/ivory.

P&G sold their first bar of Ivory Soap in July 1879 for approximately 10 cents, after spending years perfecting the formula. Ivory launched its first advertising campaign in 1882 to become one of the first American brands to have a national advertising budget, using color-print advertising and slogans such as “99 44/100% Pure” and “The Soap that Floats.” The television debut of Ivory was also an historic event, airing during the first televised baseball game in 1939.