150 years and 5 generations of a soap-making family.
Dr. Bronner's was founded in 1948 by Emanuel Bronner, a third-generation master soap maker from a German-Jewish family. Emanuel Bronner used the labels on his high-quality, eco-friendly soap to spread his message that we must recognize our unity beyond ethnic and religious divisions or perish: “We are ALL-ONE or None!” Owned and operated to this day by the Bronner family, Dr. Bronner's honors its founder's vision by continuing to make superior quality, socially and environmentally responsible products and using the profits from its business to help create a better world. All-One!
1858
Soap making begins at the Heilbronner house—Jewish Quarter, Laupheim, Germany.
1880s/1900s
The Heilbronner family invented the first liquid Castile soap—supplied washrooms throughout Germany—and sold bar soap under the brand name "Madaform".
1908
Emanuel Heilbronner (Dr. Bronner) is born!
1920s
Emanuel (Emil) becomes an apprentice within his Jewish soap-making family—receiving a Master Soapmaker certificate from the School of Commerce and a university degree in chemistry.
1929
Emil's strong personality, Zionist ideals, and innovative ideas for soap making led to disagreements with his father and uncles – he emigrated to the USA.
1930s
Emil provides technical support to American soap manufacturers. With Hitler's rise to power, he drops the "Heil" from his surname.
1940s
The Nazis nationalize the family's soap factory—Emil's parents are deported and killed in Auschwitz and Theresestadt. Emil adopts the honorary title "Dr."—with his intensity, scientific knowledge, and strong German accent, no one questions it.
1945
He escapes from the Elgin Sanatorium after being institutionalized for vehemently defending his vision—he later blames the shock treatments for his declining vision and blindness in the 1960s.
1948
Dr. Bronner's Foundation! Begins production of peppermint liquid soap and healthy food seasonings.
1950
All-One! Dr. Bronner gives lectures in Pershing Square, urging everyone to unite as ONE—he sells peppermint liquid soap on the side—he notices that many come for the soap and leave, so he starts printing the lectures on the labels. His sons, Jim and Ralph, help with the business.
1960s/70s
Dr. Bronner's liquid soap becomes an icon. Young people are thrilled by the message of peace included on the labels. Production moves to Escondido, California. Jim becomes VP of R&D and Production.
1980s
Dr. Bronner's soap becomes popular. Ralph works with Dr. Bronner to refine the labeling message. Jim launches Bronner Chemical and Technical Consulting—inventing the concentrated foam still used today in fighting forest and structural fires.
1990s
Dr. Bronner's health begins to deteriorate due to Parkinson's disease, and his sons Ralph and Jim's wife Trudy take control of the company—Jim as President, Ralph as VP and spokesperson, and Trudy as Treasurer/CFO.
1997
Death of Dr. Bronner.
1998
Jim Bronner, battling cancer, spends a year training his son David (24 years old, Harvard Bachelor, mental health counselor, advocate for the liberalization of hemp production) to run the company. He donates approximately 485 acres of wilderness land, valued at US$1.4 million, to the Boys & Girls Club of San Diego. After Jim's death, David, along with his mother Trudy and uncle Ralph, begins to manage the company.
2000
Michael Bronner joins the company—beginning the export of Dr. Bronner's soaps worldwide.
2001-2004
Dr. Bronner's funded and helped coordinate the hemp industry's battle to abolish Drug Enforcement Administration regulations—victory came on February 6, 2004—Bob Marley's birthday!
2003
Dr. Bronner's becomes the largest certified personal care products company under the USDA's National Organic Program. It pioneers the use of 100% post-consumer recycled plastic packaging. It implements progressive economic practices: a 5-to-1 pay split between the highest and lowest salaries—100% health insurance coverage—all profits not needed for business development are directed to progressive causes and charity. Uncle Ralph presents a play about his life, his father, and Dr. Bronner's soaps.
2005
Sue Kastensen (of Sun Dog Hemp Body Care) joins Dr. Bronner's—helping to reformulate their famous lip balms, body sunscreens, and lotions to meet USDA National Biological Program standards.
2006
A comprehensive project to ensure that the supply of key raw materials comes from Fair Trade certified projects.
2007
Dr. Bronner's obtains Fair Trade certification. Release of the independent film, Dr. Soapbox Magic by Bronner .
2008
Dr. Bronner's celebrates 150 years of soap production and 60 years of manufacturing certified organic products. It expands distribution to Israel, fulfilling a lifelong dream of Emanuel Bronner.
2011
The sister company, Dr. Bronner's Germany (DBG), opens in Dusseldorf and distributes to Europe. Dr. Bronner's, in partnership with its fair trade coconut supplier from Sri Lanka (Serendipol), launches organic virgin "whole" coconut oil and organic virgin "white" coconut oil, both fair trade.
2010 to 2013
David Bronner is arrested outside DEA headquarters for planting hemp seeds and harvesting hemp plants in a cage in front of the White House. In September 2013, Dr. Bronner's employees celebrated with farmer Ryan Loflin the first hemp harvest in America in over sixty years.
2012 to 2013
Fight for GMO labeling! Dr. Bronner's joins a coalition of parents, consumers, health groups, and environmentalists to demand labeling for genetically modified food products.
2014
After growing 1,100% in 15 years, Dr. Bronner's moves to a larger factory. It commits to becoming a zero-waste company.
2015
The death of Ralph Bronner, the heart and soul of Dr. Bronner's—inspired us all to keep alive the mission of spreading love first and profits second. Thank you, Uncle Ralph!
