Windex
| Inventor | Harry R. Drackett |
|---|---|
| Launch year | 1933 |
| Company | S. C. Johnson & Son |
| http://www.windex.com/ | |
Windex is a glass and hard-surface cleaner manufactured since 1933. S. C. Johnson acquired Windex in 1993 and has been manufacturing it since. The product was recently reformulated with more environmentally desirable solvents.[1]
The original Windex was colored a light, transparent shade of blue, but varieties are marketed today in a variety of colors (ocean fresh blue, sunshine lemon and citrus orange) and fragrances (spring bouquet, ocean mist, lavender and tea tree), and with a variety of additives such as vinegar, lemon, lime, or orange juice.
When Windex was invented in 1933 by Harry R. Drackett, it was almost 100% solvent. It was highly flammable and had to be sold in metal cans. When modern surfactants were introduced after World War II, the product was reformulated.
The Sam Wise patent #3,463,735 lists example formulae, one of which is 4.0% isopropyl alcohol (a highly volatile solvent) 1% ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (a less volatile solvent), 0.1% sodium lauryl sulfate (a surfactant), 0.01% tetrasodium pyrophosphate (a water softener), 0.05% of 28% ammonia, 1% of a dye solution, and 0.01% perfume. This formula was not only less expensive to manufacture, but allowed the product to be packaged in glass bottles and dispensed with a plastic sprayer.
The popularity of Windex in the US led to the generic use of the trademark for similar product, including those marketed under different brands Window Cleaner.
The blueish-green color inspired bartenders similarly tinted mixed drinks. For example, a "Windex shot" typically contains vodka, triple sec, and Blue Curaçao for color.
Popular Culture [edit]
Windex was alluded to numerous times by Gus, in the romantic comedy, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," as a "cure" for a host of ills from rashes to acne.
References [edit]
- Footnotes
- "Don’t Let The Blue Fool You: New Logo on Windex® Bottle to Highlight Company’s Greenlist™ Process", S.C. Johnson press release, Racine, Wisconsin, Thursday, January 17, 2008
- Sources
- "Philip W. Drackett: Earned profits, plaudits" By Barry M. Horstman, Cincinnati Post, May 21, 1999.
External links [edit]
- Windex home page
- SC Johnson Milestones page (1993 Windex)
- Windex Product Safety Information
- Common Household Product Material Safety and Data Sheets
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