Vintage mid century 1950s original Persil washing powder print double mount, ready to frame. This amazing colourful print has been professionally framed by ( Tiny Shuker Cambridge).
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Amazing condition some minor age related wear.
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40 cm wide
53 cm tall
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Persil the worlds first commercially available laundry powder, was invented in Germany by Henkel in 1907, revolutionizing laundry with its "self-acting" oxygen-releasing formula that reduced the need for strenuous rubbing and bleaching. Derived from its key ingredients, sodium perborate and sodium silicate, the detergent eliminated tough stains and formed less scum than traditional soap. The brand was then introduced to the UK in 1909, with various companies like Lever Brothers and later Unilever eventually holding the rights to sell it in the UK and France.
The Invention and Name
Who: Henkel's chemists, led by Professor Herman Giessler and Dr. Herman Bauer, invented Persil.
What: They combined sodium perborate (which releases oxygen) and sodium silicate (a water-softening agent).
How: The oxygen released during washing acted as a powerful, fabric-gentle bleaching and stain-removing agent. The silicate neutralized minerals in hard water, preventing soap scum buildup on clothes.
The Name: The brand name, Persil, comes from its two key components: "Per" from perborate and "Sil" from silicate.
The Revolutionary Impact
A "Self-Acting" Detergent: Persil was the first "self-acting" detergent, meaning it did the work of laundry itself, making the laborious scrubbing, rubbing, and milling of clothes unnecessary.
A Change in Laundry Day: This innovation completely changed laundry practices, freeing housewives from the most tiring aspects of washing and allowing for a more efficient and less time-consuming process.
Commercialization and Global Spread
Launch in Germany: The first advertisement for Persil appeared in Germany in 1907.
UK Introduction: Joseph Crosfield and Sons brought Persil to the UK in 1909 as an "Amazing Oxygen Washer".
Shifting Ownership: Over time, ownership of the brand in the UK changed, with Lever Brothers and then Unilever acquiring the rights from companies like Joseph Crosfield and Sons.
Today: Persil continues to be a globally recognized brand, with Henkel in the rest of the world and Unilever in the UK and France.