PACHSmörgåsbord: Patent Medicines
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Dr. Jayne’s was one of the first patent medicine companies in the U.S. to issue annual almanacs. By the 1850s the company was one of the most successful patent medicine companies in the U.S. This post looks at Dr. Jayne’s efforts to brand and protect its patent medicines, and then concludes with some brief reflection on the value of studying patent medicines.
Posted by Darin Hayton on 10/11 at 10:31 PM
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Another bit of local patent medicine history. This copy of Wright’s almanac was sold at Frank T. Landis’s shop in Womelsdorf, PA.
Posted by Darin Hayton on 10/18 at 04:33 PM
Monday, March 08, 2010
This (long) post offers some thoughts about Peruna and its continued success into the 20th century. I suggest that Peruna’s success needs to be seen within the context of a continuing belief in astrology, particularly amongst certain populations in the U.S. I highlight the ways that Peruna’s astrological claims would resonate with the Amish and Mennonite communities.
Posted by Darin Hayton on 03/08 at 01:47 PM
Sunday, January 29, 2012
An article in the NY Times reports on Mary Ebeling’s recent research on direct marketing in the pharmaceutical industry. It recalls for me the techniques used a century ago to sell patent medicines.
Posted by Darin Hayton on 01/29 at 12:06 PM
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