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.

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.
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1894
Over 6 million boxes of Beecham’s Pills sold annually
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1894
Wellcome Physiological Research Labs established in Kent, UK
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1906
Burroughs Wellcome & Co. (USA) established in New York

The origins of “Glaxo”
Joseph Nathan & Co.’s dairy farms in New Zealand sold a freeze-dried milk powder, which by 1904, was manufactured under the name "Defiance". They tried to change the name to “Lacto” in 1906, but when this was denied by the Trademark Office, they chose the name “Glaxo”, which was registered later that year.
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.

Expanding across countries
In 1905, work began on a new Horlicks manufacturing site in the UK, to export the product to Europe and the British Empire. This was operational by 1908 and produced Horlicks for over a century.
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.
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1906
Joseph Nathan & Co. trademarks the name "Glaxo" for its dried milk product
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1908
Horlicks manufacturing site opens in Slough, UK
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1910
Stiefel Medicinal Soap Co. registered in US

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.
Explore our history timeline
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Building brands: 1919 – 1949
An era of landmark scientific breakthroughs, building brand portfolios and product consolidation.
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Creating the GSK of today: 1950 – 1999
An exciting period of discovery: we developed the first treatment for HIV, enhanced our consumer brands and developed new treatments for asthma.
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GSK today: 2000 – present
With our three global businesses of Pharmaceuticals, Vaccines and Consumer Healthcare, we aim to bring differentiated, high-quality and needed healthcare products to as many people as possible.
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Innovative entrepreneurs: 1715 – 1891
The early history of GSK: how a range of entrepreneurs built the foundations of the GSK we know today.