Harley Procter, in 1878, came to the conclusion that the candle and soap factory inherited from his father should innovate its products and achieve a prominent place among consumers to compete with thin and corrosive soaps from others countries. With that in mind, he started to manufacture a new soap that had a unique characteristic in relation to others, this new product had a delicate and creamy texture, was white and fragrant.
His company was responsible for supplying soap to the army, so chemist James Gamble, Procter's cousin, managed to formulate the formula and manufacture the initially called white soap, it had a pleasant characteristic, was abundant in foam, had a uniform texture and a mild aroma.
A factory worker who had the task of observing the tanks containing soap stopped his activity to make his meal (lunch), but did not turn off the machine that made the mixture, in as a result of carelessness, there was an extra increase of air in the soap, after which the material that should have been discarded was thrown into the molds to gain consistency and went to the place of cut.
Upon reaching the consumer, there was great satisfaction, as the amount of air present in the soap did not allow it to sink. The factory received thousands of letters asking for more of the product.
When they discovered that the soap's development had occurred in an involuntary way, in an accidental act, Procter asked that from that moment on, a greater amount of air be inserted.
At the same time Thomas Edison was having success with his invention, the light bulb, Procter realized that the The candle trade would end because of the new invention, so he decided to focus his efforts on promoting the new soap.
Eduardo de Freitas
Brazil School Team
Curiosities - Brazil School
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/curiosidades/o-surgimento-sabonete.htm
