William H. Luden
Encyclopedia
William H. Luden was the developer of the menthol cough drop. He launched a backroom candy business in 1879 in the rear of his father's jewelry shop at 35 N. 5th St., Reading, Pennsylvania
, USA. His "factory" was his family's 30 square feet (2.8 m²) kitchen. An early product was "moshie," a Pennsylvania Dutch
(German-American) candy made with brown sugar and molasses.
Luden collaborated with a pharmacist
to develop a cough drop formula
. He colored his cough drops amber instead of the red associated with cough drops at the time. In 1881, Luden's honey-licorice menthol throat drops were introduced. "Luden's Menthol
Cough Drops" were sold for many years in 5-cent packages.
Luden introduced new packaging methods as well, lining boxes with wax paper
to extend shelf life
.
In 1882, he moved his operations to 37 N. 5th St., and offered an extensive line, including cough drops, hard and soft candies, chocolates and marshmallow products. Luden manufactured his own chocolate for his candies unlike many confectioners of the time. In 1892 Luden moved his operations to a larger building at Sixth and Washington streets in Reading.
In 1900, he moved to still larger quarters on Eighth street beyond Walnut, where he erected a four-story brick building, expanded in 1909.
William Luden retired in 1927.
In 1928, the company was acquired by Food Industries of Philadelphia, a holding company owned by the Dietrich
family. The Luden's
brand has subsequently transferred ownership several times. In 2006, it transferred from Pfizer
to Johnson & Johnson
.
William Luden, age 90, died May 8th, 1949 of a heart attack in Atlantic City, New Jersey
, U.S.A.
Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading is a city in southeastern Pennsylvania, USA, and seat of Berks County. Reading is the principal city of the Greater Reading Area and had a population of 88,082 as of the 2010 census, making it the fifth most populated city in the state after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie,...
, USA. His "factory" was his family's 30 square feet (2.8 m²) kitchen. An early product was "moshie," a Pennsylvania Dutch
Pennsylvania Dutch
Pennsylvania Dutch refers to immigrants and their descendants from southwestern Germany and Switzerland who settled in Pennsylvania in the 17th and 18th centuries...
(German-American) candy made with brown sugar and molasses.
Luden collaborated with a pharmacist
Pharmacist
Pharmacists are allied health professionals who practice in pharmacy, the field of health sciences focusing on safe and effective medication use...
to develop a cough drop formula
Formula
In mathematics, a formula is an entity constructed using the symbols and formation rules of a given logical language....
. He colored his cough drops amber instead of the red associated with cough drops at the time. In 1881, Luden's honey-licorice menthol throat drops were introduced. "Luden's Menthol
Menthol
Menthol is an organic compound made synthetically or obtained from peppermint or other mint oils. It is a waxy, crystalline substance, clear or white in color, which is solid at room temperature and melts slightly above. The main form of menthol occurring in nature is -menthol, which is assigned...
Cough Drops" were sold for many years in 5-cent packages.
Luden introduced new packaging methods as well, lining boxes with wax paper
Wax paper
Wax paper is a kind of paper that is made moisture proof through the application of wax....
to extend shelf life
Shelf life
Shelf life is the length of time that food, drink, medicine, chemicals, and many other perishable items are given before they are considered unsuitable for sale, use, or consumption...
.
In 1882, he moved his operations to 37 N. 5th St., and offered an extensive line, including cough drops, hard and soft candies, chocolates and marshmallow products. Luden manufactured his own chocolate for his candies unlike many confectioners of the time. In 1892 Luden moved his operations to a larger building at Sixth and Washington streets in Reading.
In 1900, he moved to still larger quarters on Eighth street beyond Walnut, where he erected a four-story brick building, expanded in 1909.
William Luden retired in 1927.
In 1928, the company was acquired by Food Industries of Philadelphia, a holding company owned by the Dietrich
Dietrich
Dietrich is a German given and a family name, the German form of Theodoric.People * Albert Dietrich , German composer and conductor* Albert Gottfried Dietrich , German botanist...
family. The Luden's
Luden's
-History:The Luden's brand was originally created by William H. Luden in 1879, and included several products such as candy and throat drops.Luden's was acquired in 1928 by Food Industries of Philadelphia, a holding company owned by the Dietrich family. In 1980 the company acquired Queen Anne Candy...
brand has subsequently transferred ownership several times. In 2006, it transferred from Pfizer
Pfizer
Pfizer, Inc. is an American multinational pharmaceutical corporation. The company is based in New York City, New York with its research headquarters in Groton, Connecticut, United States...
to Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson is an American multinational pharmaceutical, medical devices and consumer packaged goods manufacturer founded in 1886. Its common stock is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the company is listed among the Fortune 500....
.
William Luden, age 90, died May 8th, 1949 of a heart attack in Atlantic City, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, U.S.A.