In 1888, a fateful encounter inspired the creation of the first ever Johnson & Johnson’s First Aid Kit's.

The company director Robert Wood Johnson was on holiday in Colorado, where on a train he got talking to the cheif surgeon for the Denver & Rio Grande Railway.

The doctor explained to Johnson the dangers of railroad construction and the lack of medical supplies to treat the unique industrial injuries that were often incurred great distances from hospitals. Johnson thought carefully about this discussion and saw an opportunity to both advance the field of healthcare and build his young business, he took the idea away and designed the worlds first aid box. The content was mixed and had dressings for catastrophic bleeding and primative anticeptics, it also contained versions of pain relief.

Since 1888 the first aid box has come a long way, with the content being recommended by the HSE and the topic of carrying a first aid box discussed on all first aid courses. The market place of first aid boxes continues to grow, with countries such as South America being a major purchaser.

Johnson & Johnson still make their All Purpose First Aid Kit and we are proud to call SC Johnson part of the Johnson family one of our customers. Based in Frimley, they are still a major supplier of first aid kits across the world.