Clorox dates back to 1913 when 5 entrepreneurs set up the first liquid bleach factory in the US. The company was originally called the Electro-Alkaline company and its first product was Clorox bleach.
The company floundered as consumers did not know what bleach was. William Murray took over the company in 1916. His wife, Anne, began to hand out free samples. The product was an instant success.
In 1928, the company went public as the Clorox Chemical Company.
In 1957, the company was purchased by Procter & Gamble and renamed to The Clorox Company.
In 1967, after a 10 year court battle, the FTC ordered P&G to divest Clorox. The company was spun off in 1969.
In 1999, the company acquired First Brands, makers of Glad, Handi-Wipes and STP.
Today, the company manufactures several products other than Clorox bleach including Brita water filters, Burt’s Bees, Formula 409 and Pine-Sol.
