BRILLO
THE SOAP PAD THAT
CHANGED DISHWASHING
Brillo was created in 1913 by John H. Loeb, a cookware salesman, and his brother in law, a jeweler, in Brooklyn. As aluminum cookware became more widely used, people discovered it was difficult to clean using only soap powders and cloths. Loeb developed the idea of combining fine steel wool with soap, drawing inspiration from materials used in metal polishing. He also included jeweler’s rouge and imported steel wool from Germany, to create the most effective dish tool.
FROM BROOKLYN STARTUP
TO CLEANING CLASSIC
When the duo decided they wanted to patent their product they could not afford it and partnered up with attorney Milton Loeb who got them the patent in return for an interest in their business. Together the 3 started the Brillo Manufacturing Company, Initially, the steel wool and soap were sold individually. However, by 1917, the company began packaging them together as a single kit that included six steel wool pads with a separate soap cake included. The Brillo brand was purchased by Purex industries in 1962 until 1985 when ownership transferred to The Dial Corporation, followed by Church & Dwight in 1997. Finally in 2010, the brand was purchased by Armaly Brands,in Walled Lake, Michigan, where it remains today.
