GSK logo linking to the homepage Menu Going global: 1892 – 1918 While the first wireless signals were sent across the Atlantic and railways developed for commercial and then wartime use, our legacy companies were expanding across the world, developing and selling new products on an increasingly global scale. Wellcome Physiological Research Laboratories at Brockwell Park, Kent, UK, c.1910s Manufacturing Beecham’s Pills Demand for Beecham’s Pills increased in the 1880s and the Beecham’s factory expanded with new, better pill manufacturing machines installed. By 1900, production of Beecham’s Pills had reached one million pills a day. By placing local language advertisements in newspapers around the world, Beecham began to reach a global consumer audience. Pioneering modern pharmaceutical research In 1894, the Wellcome Physiological Research Laboratories, which focused on biological experimentation, especially early forms of vaccines, were established. Within a decade, Tropical Research Labs to study tropical illnesses were founded in Sudan, and a floating mobile lab with pathology services was established on the White Nile. These research institutions form the foundation of our R&D operations today. By the 1910s, Burroughs Wellcome had established a global presence; the New York office was the largest and most profitable international subsidiary. The iconic “Glaxo builds bonnie babies” advertising campaign began in 1908. Their dried milk was regarded as safer than fresh non-pasteurised milk, so its demand as a food for infants and children increased. Joseph Nathan & Co. was bought out by its subsidiary Glaxo Laboratories Ltd. in 1947. In 1910, J.D. Stiefel’s grandson, August, began selling his family’s soaps in the US, where he registered the company as Stiefel Medicinal Soap Co. During this era, the company sold over 100 different products in countries around the world. John Noel developing film with 'Tabloid' brand 'Rytol' on the Mount Everest Expedition, 1922 Exploring the world Our legacy companies supported a wave of exploration expeditions in the early twentieth century. Burroughs Wellcome & Co.’s Tabloid medicine chests, which were filled with first aid and pharmaceutical supplies, accompanied the first transatlantic air crossing, and expeditions to the Amazon, Antarctic and Mount Everest. By World War I, Horlicks had gained popularity among adult consumers, and was used as rations for soldiers and explorers. Famed explorer Admiral Richard Byrd even named the Horlick Mountains in Antarctica after the drink. GSK Quick links Behind the science About us Products Careers Investors Media Research Responsibility Legal Terms of use Cookie policy Privacy Notice Modern Slavery Act statement 2017 PDF - 199.6KB Accessibility Sitemap Accessibility Contact us Contact us Partnerships Report a possible side effect Business to business Supplier website Business to business © 2001-2018 GlaxoSmithKline plc. All rights reserved. Trade marks are owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies. GlaxoSmithKline plc. Registered in England and Wales No. 3888792. Registered office: 980 Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 9GS, United Kingdom.