Johnson and johnson vintage first aid kit

Summer is in full swing, which means it's officially the season of outdoor adventures, summer sports camps and neighborhood barbecues. It also means it's prime time to keep a first aid kit handy to take care of inevitable cuts and scrapes.

Did you know that Johnson & Johnson can be credited with creating the very first (and now ubiquitous) commercial first aid kit in 1888?

Robert Wood Johnson, co-founder of Johnson & Johnson, was traveling on the Denver & Rio Grande railroad when he struck up a conversation with the railway company's chief surgeon and learned that railroad workers often sustained injuries that proved fatal because they lacked access to hospitals—or on-site emergency medical supplies.

Moved to help, Johnson reached out to surgeons at other railroads to research what kind of supplies would be most useful—and then used this intel to create the first commercial first aid kits, packed with necessities like sutures, sterile wound dressings and surgical tape.

Johnson & Johnson first aid kits became so popular that the company began making versions tailored to other industries or situations. Whenever a new type of transportation was introduced—such as the automobile or airplane—or an activity like boating or hiking became increasingly popular, the company created a customized kit, says Margaret Gurowitz

From Boy Scouts to owners of the first Ford Model T cars, Johnson & Johnson has helped just about everyone stay safe with first aid kits over the past 130 years.

• 
  Image courtesy of Johnson & Johnson Archives Image courtesy of Johnson & Johnson Archives

  1898

  Spanish-American War First Aid Packets

  The U.S. Army reached out to Johnson & Johnson for assistance with medical supplies during the Spanish-American War. Even though the company was only 12 years old at the time, it mobilized to create a special first aid packet for soldiers on the battlefield.

  The History of How Johnson & Johnson Has Given Back During Times of Crisis

  The packet—containing antiseptic compresses, bandages and safety pins—was small enough for a soldier to store in his uniform so a medic could use the supplies to help stanch bleeding, set broken bones and administer other lifesaving treatments on the spot.

  Read More

• 
  Image courtesy of Johnson & Johnson Archives Image courtesy of Johnson & Johnson Archives

  1903

  Household Accident Case

  Railroad and factory workers weren't the only early customers who benefited from Johnson & Johnson's first aid kits. The Household Accident Case was a small kit intended for—you guessed it—household use. It was originally packaged in cardboard but was upgraded to a white metal case in the 1920s that was meant to be hung on, say, a bathroom wall for easy access.

  In addition to the standard antiseptic medical supplies, the kit contained a set of first aid instructions and space where the owner could jot down the phone numbers of local emergency service personnel.

  Read More

• 
  Image courtesy of Johnson & Johnson Archives Image courtesy of Johnson & Johnson Archives

  1906

  Autokit

  In recognition of the growing popularity of automobiles, Johnson & Johnson introduced the Autokit in 1906, two years before the Ford Model T hit the market. The case's contents—including burn ointment—were meant to help treat injuries at a time when cars were much less reliable than they are today.

  Fun fact: The Autokit hitched a ride in the race car that broke the land speed record in 1928.

  Read More

  
  Around the World With Johnson & Johnson: 6 Unbelievable Places Company Products Have Been

• 
  Image courtesy of Johnson & Johnson Archives Image courtesy of Johnson & Johnson Archives

  1920

  Johnson's No. 1 First Aid Cabinet

  At the turn of the 20th century, more and more manufacturing facilities were popping up across the country, staffed with laborers who were operating dangerous machines. In response, the Johnson's Factory Case was created, containing all the products of a general first aid kit, says Gurowitz, but they were sold in mass quantities to meet factory demand.

  By the early 1920s, the Factory Case had been rebranded as the Johnson's No. 1 First Aid Cabinet (pictured), which was touted for use in many different types of workplaces.

  Read More

• 
  Image courtesy of Johnson & Johnson Archives Image courtesy of Johnson & Johnson Archives

  1921

  Travelkit

  By the 1920s, people were on the move—whether journeying cross-country by train or around the region via car. So Johnson & Johnson debuted its Travelkit, a pocket-sized first aid kit that contained items to treat minor injuries when traveling to areas where medical care was limited.

  The Travelkit was special for another reason: It hit the market the same year as the company's BAND-AID® Brand adhesive bandages, so it was one of the first kits to include the iconic product.

  Read More

  
  J&J Fun Facts: 7 Things You May Not Know About BAND-AID® Brand Adhesive Bandages

• 
  Image courtesy of Johnson & Johnson Archives Image courtesy of Johnson & Johnson Archives

  1925

  Boy Scout First Aid Kit

  We know that Boy Scouts are all about being prepared, and in 1925, the Boy Scout First Aid Kit helped them do just that.

  The green-and-yellow cardboard container—which included a set of first aid instructions, safety pins, a compress and a multifaceted triangular bandage—was created to teach scouts proper first aid techniques and help them earn their first aid merit badge. In 1932, Johnson & Johnson also formed a partnership with the Girl Scouts to make first aid kits for their use, too.

  Read More

• 
  Image courtesy of Johnson & Johnson Archives Image courtesy of Johnson & Johnson Archives

  1927

  Aerokit

  After the first historic transatlantic flight accelerated the aviation craze of the 1920s, Johnson & Johnson put the Aerokit on the market.

  The small first aid kit was designed for the aviation enthusiast to use on the small one- to two-passenger planes of the day, and included burn emollient, a miniature first aid chart with instructions on how to treat plane-specific injuries in the air and on the ground, and aromatic spirits of ammonia, which could be used to revive a passenger who lost consciousness in the air. The Aerokit's metal case came in a heavy cloth bag, with a loop attachment, so it could be attached to the aviator’s belt or to the inside wall of the plane.

  Read More

  
  Aerokit: The Johnson & Johnson Innovation That Aided Early Aviators

• 
  Image courtesy of Johnson & Johnson Archives Image courtesy of Johnson & Johnson Archives

  1941

  Carlisle Kits for World War II

  Shortly after World War I, the U.S. military decided to improve the quality of soldiers' first aid supplies and began packaging them in a wallet-sized, watertight metal container.

  The kits—which included wound dressings to help treat severe injuries caused by shrapnel and shells—were named after the Carlisle Barracks Army installation in Pennsylvania, where the kits were first created.

  Read More

  
  How Johnson & Johnson Helped Reshape Medical Care After World War I

• 
  Image courtesy of Johnson & Johnson Archives Image courtesy of Johnson & Johnson Archives

  1942

  Vacation First Aid Kit

  This kit was created at a time when, thanks to a manufacturing boom that helped boost wages, more people had the time and money to take vacations.

  The Vacation First Aid Kit clocked in at only 5 inches wide and 4 inches long, and was an easy-to-pack item for the avid traveler, containing antiseptic cream, a roll of bandages, gauze and a set of first aid instructions.

  Read More

  Yes, You Can Fit Exercise Into a Packed Vacation—Here's How

• 
  Image courtesy of Johnson & Johnson Archives Image courtesy of Johnson & Johnson Archives

  1964

  Snake Bite Kit

  This was one of the more unique kits produced by Johnson & Johnson, and debuted at a time when visiting national parks and forests was becoming a popular pastime—annual visits to national forests topped 1 million in 1955, and that number had tripled by 1964.

  The kit included a scalpel and plunger, which would have been used to suction snake venom from the skin. It also included an ammonia inhalant that could help rouse an unconscious bite victim.

  Read More

• 
  Image courtesy of Johnson & Johnson Archives

  1973

  Marine First Aid Kit

  The brightly colored, compact Marine First Aid Kit was both waterproof and buoyant, making it the ideal boat companion, Gurowitz says.

  The contents of the kit included medications for seasickness and heat exhaustion, as well as Johnson & Johnson's then newly developed RESUSITUBE® Airway, an S-shaped plastic tube that was meant to help revive victims of drowning.

  Read More

  
  DryBak: The First Waterproof Bandage Ever Made by Johnson & Johnson

• 

  2018

  Build Your Own First Aid Kit

  Today, Johnson & Johnson continues to help people keep medical supplies handy by offering the option to build a custom first aid kit.

  Whether you're headed for a camping trip or taking a long family road trip, building a personalized kit ahead of time—with supplies like waterproof bandages and pain relievers—can help keep everyone safe and healthy while having fun.

  Read More

  
  Have a Stubborn Wound That Just Won't Heal? Here Are 4 Possible Reasons Why

When You’ve Been Innovating for Over 130 Years …

When You’ve Been Innovating for Over 130 Years …

Johnson & Johnson has a virtual museum where you can learn more fun facts about its rich history.

Check it out

© Albert Vecerka/Esto. All rights reserved.

• Health & Wellness
• First aid kits
• Boy Scouts
• Johnson & Johnson
• BAND-AID® Brand adhesive bandages

More from Johnson & Johnson

• ON NOW

  
  Meet 7 People Who Inspired Us in 2022

  Personal Stories

  December 20, 2022

  Meet 7 People Who Inspired Us in 2022

  Meet 7 People Who Inspired Us in 2022

  Mobilizing to help coworkers in need. Increasing diverse representation in clinical trials. Advocating on behalf of people living with life-altering medical conditions. Learn about the extraordinary ways these trailblazers made a difference in 2022.

• ON NOW

  
  Giving the Gift of Sight

  Caring & Giving

  December 07, 2022

  Giving the Gift of Sight

  Giving the Gift of Sight

  In Kenya, around 1.5 million people—including children—contend with visual impairment or blindness. Sight for Kids, Johnson & Johnson Vision’s global eye care partnership, is devoted to changing these stats, one vision screening at a time.

• ON NOW

  
  What Happens When Antibiotics Stop Working?

  Innovation

  November 18, 2022

  What Happens When Antibiotics Stop Working?

  What Happens When Antibiotics Stop Working?

  More and more, many previously effective medications are no longer able to fight off the germs that are making us sick, leading to millions of deaths each year. For World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, learn what Johnson & Johnson is doing to combat this health threat around the world.

  What 2 items should not be in a first aid kit?

  "First aid kits may not contain prescription or over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, Ibuprofen, decongestants, sinus relief, etc. These are not first aid items.

  What is the difference between Class A and B first aid kit?

  The newest ANSI/ISEA standard introduces two classes of first aid kits: Class A and Class B. Class A kits are designed to deal with the most common types of workplace injuries. Class B kits are designed with a broader range and quantity of supplies to deal with injures in more complex or high-risk environments.

  What does FAKS first aid kit mean?

  noun. : a set of materials and tools used for giving emergency treatment to a sick or injured person.

  What is a Type 4 first aid kit?

  Type IV first aid kits are intended for portable use in the mobile industries and/or outdoor settings where the potential for damage to kit supplies due to environmental factors and rough handling is significant.