Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2022.05.14.02 |
Object Name |
Bottom, Box |
Year Range from |
1931 |
Year Range to |
1950 |
Features |
Square bottom of box which sits inside box lid [2022.05.14.01]. Exterior is covered in an off white paper, with dark blue text on bottom "ANTISEPTIC" followed by details about how the bandage is safe and antiseptic in smaller text, and "DIRECTIONS" followed by small text outlining the directions for use of the "Wound Aids". |
Object Story |
This box with it's contents, was stored in the first aid kit originally owned by William Edward Vine c.1910 and stored at the family cottage located just south of the Napanee River. It could have been added by William himself (1883-1948) or one of his descendants (listed under 2022.05.01). The idea behind Cress Laboratories came from Noah Cress (1864-1948). Noah's first career was as a photographer, however in the 1920's he began making a corn and bunion salve which was sold door to door. Noah's only daughter Marion (1907-1997) and her new husband Henry Heldmann (1906-1972) took an interest in her father's products and in 1931, the same year her and Henry were married, they started Cress Laboratories in Kitchener Ontario. The company received the first patent in the United States for the first plastic adhesive bandages in 1951. This dates the box and it's contents prior to 1951 as the text indicates the patent was still in it's application stage when this box was produced. The company stayed in the family and would go on to be operated by Marion and Henry's two sons until it closed down in 1997. |
People |
Vine, William Edward Cress, Noah Heldmann, Marion (nee Cress) |
Subjects |
First aid First aid kits Cottages Cottage safety Safety |
Search Terms |
Napanee Napanee River Vine family cottage |