Imagine it’s the 1920s. Johnson & Johnson, a well-known company, is famous for making large, sterile cotton gauze dressings. These were the first of their kind and were mainly used for big injuries. But then, an employee named Earle Dickson had a problem to solve. His wife often got small cuts and burns while doing chores at home. The big dressings from his company were too large for these tiny injuries.
Earle had a brilliant idea. He decided to cut a small piece of the sterile gauze and stick it to his wife’s finger using an adhesive strip. This simple invention worked perfectly for her minor injuries. Earle found himself making these small bandages so often that he came up with a way to produce them more efficiently.
To make sure the adhesive part didn’t stick to itself, Earle used crinoline fabric to line the bandages. His invention caught the attention of Johnson & Johnson, and they started producing these small bandages, which we now know as Band-Aids.
Johnson & Johnson had a clever idea to promote Band-Aids. They gave away an unlimited number of them to Boy Scout troops all over America. This smart move helped Band-Aids become very popular, and soon they were found in almost every household.
Since then, Johnson & Johnson has produced more than 100 billion Band-Aids. This simple yet effective invention has helped countless people take care of minor injuries easily and quickly.
Did you know that Band-Aids come in all sorts of colors and designs today? From cartoon characters to superheroes, there’s a Band-Aid for everyone!
Imagine you are a designer for Johnson & Johnson. Design a new Band-Aid that would appeal to kids your age. Think about colors, patterns, and any special features it might have. Draw your design on paper and explain why you think it would be popular.
Work in groups to create a short skit about Earle Dickson’s invention of the Band-Aid. Assign roles such as Earle, his wife, and Johnson & Johnson executives. Act out the moment of inspiration and the steps leading to the Band-Aid’s production.
Research how Band-Aids have changed since their invention. Look into different materials, designs, and uses over the years. Create a timeline or a presentation to share your findings with the class.
Imagine you are part of the marketing team at Johnson & Johnson in the 1920s. Develop a marketing strategy to promote the new Band-Aids. Consider creative ways to reach potential customers and present your ideas to the class.
Conduct an experiment to test the adhesive strength of different types of tape or bandages. Predict which will hold the best and why. Record your results and discuss how this relates to the effectiveness of Band-Aids.
In a Moment of Vision… It’s the 1920s. Johnson & Johnson is well-established for their production of large, sterile cotton gauze dressings, a first of its kind. An employee named Earle Dickson is recently married to a young woman who tends to have minor domestic cuts and burns. Since these injuries are too small for the company’s large surgical dressings, Earle, in a moment of inspiration, cuts a small square of the sterile gauze and secures it to her finger with an adhesive strip.
Earle finds himself making so many of these bandages that he devises a method for small-scale production. To prevent the adhesive part from sticking together, he lines them with crinoline fabric. Johnson & Johnson begins production of Earle’s invention. In a clever marketing move, they distribute an unlimited number of Band-Aids for free to Boy Scout troops across America. It doesn’t take long for them to become a household item. It is estimated that Johnson & Johnson has since produced more than 100 billion Band-Aids.
Invention – A new device, method, or process developed from study and experimentation – Thomas Edison’s invention of the electric light bulb changed the way people lived and worked.
Band-aid – A small adhesive strip with a gauze pad used for covering minor wounds – After scraping his knee, Jake put a band-aid on it to protect the injury.
Entrepreneur – A person who starts and runs a business, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit – Sarah became a successful entrepreneur by launching her own online store at the age of 16.
Marketing – The action or business of promoting and selling products or services, including market research and advertising – Effective marketing helped the new smartphone become a bestseller within weeks of its release.
Adhesive – A substance used for sticking objects or materials together – The adhesive on the back of the stamp allowed it to stick firmly to the envelope.
Gauze – A thin, transparent fabric with a loose open weave, used for medical dressings – The nurse wrapped gauze around the patient’s arm to cover the wound.
Injuries – Harm or damage to the body – The athlete had to sit out the game due to injuries sustained during practice.
Solution – A means of solving a problem or dealing with a difficult situation – The invention of the steam engine provided a solution to the problem of inefficient transportation.
Success – The accomplishment of an aim or purpose – The Wright brothers’ success in building the first powered airplane marked a new era in aviation history.
Impact – The effect or influence of one thing on another – The industrial revolution had a significant impact on society, changing how people lived and worked.
