Call Number:

20

Repository:

Science History Institute Archives

Extent:

.01 linear feet (1 folder)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Item Description, SmithKline Corporation Collection, 1988, undated, Science History Institute Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Date:

1988, undated

Abstract:

A collection of presentation materials related to the history and work of the SmithKline Corporation.

The SmithKline Corporation was an American manufacturer of pharmaceuticals. Founded in 1830 in Philadelphia by John K. Smith, the company began as an apothecary. The apothecary saw steady growth throughout the 19th century, eventually expanding to two stores. In 1891, SmithKline absorbed a fellow Philadelphia apothecary named French Richards & Co., and became known as Smith, Kline, and French (SKF). The company continued to operate as an apothecary in Philadelphia until 1925, when they established their own research division. The first breakthrough for the SKF Research Division was Benzedrine, an amphetamine originally intended to alleviate nasal congestion. Later in 1944, SKF would develop another amphetamine named Dexedrine, originally marketed as a mood lifter and appetite suppressor, but would later be used for the treatment of ADHD.

During the middle of the 20th century, SFK's production slowed. The company tested other markets, such as cosmetic brands, but did not see the same success. In the 1970s, though, SFK funded research into Tagamet, which is an antihistamine used to treat peptic ulcers and prevents future ones if taken daily. Tagamet earned SFK's researcher James Black the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1988. SFK later merged with the Beechman Group in 1989 to become SmithKline Beechman in 1989, and then with Glaxo Wellcome to form GlaxoSmithKline in 2000.

A collection of presentation materials related to the history and work of the SmithKline Corporation.This collection contains a variety of materials related to presentations given by members of the SmithKline Corporation. There are two transcripts for presentations given by employees of the SmithKline Corporation regarding the company's history and their ongoing work and projects. There is also a printed copy of slides for a presentation titled "PC Melt to Date", presented at GEM Chemicals Ltd. in October 1988. Lastly, there are 101 photo slides of images featured in the Smith Kline Corporation presentations.