150 years and 5 generations of family soapmaking
Dr. Bronnerâs was founded in 1948 by Emanuel Bronner, a third- generation master soapmaker from a German-Jewish soapmaking family. He used the labels on his superb ecological soaps to spread his message that we must realize our unity across religious & ethnic divides or perish: âWe are All-One or None!â Still family-owned and run, Dr. Bronnerâs honors its founderâs vision by continuing to make socially & environmentally responsible products of the highest quality, and by dedicating our profits to help make a better world. All-One!
1858
Soapmaking begins in Heilbronner homeâJewish quarter, Laupheim, Germany.

1880s/1900s
Heilbronners invent first liquid castile soapâsupply washrooms across Germanyâsell bar soaps under âMadaformâ brand.

1908
Emanuel Heilbronner (Dr. Bronner) enters the world!

1920s
Emanuel (Emil) apprentices with Jewish soapmaking familyâreceives Soapmaking Master certificate from guild system trade school and university degree in chemistry.
1929
Emil's powerful personality, Zionist ideals and ideas for modern soapmaking lead to clashes with father and uncles - emigrates to U.S.
1930s
Emil advises U.S. soap and chemical specialty manufacturers. With rise of Hitler, drops "Heil" from last name.
1940s
Nazis nationalize family soap factoryâEmilâs parents deported and killed in Auschwitz and Theriesenstadt. Emil adopts honorific âDr.ââwith his intensity, scientific knowledge and thick German accent, no one argues.

1945
Escapes Elgin State Insane Asylum after being institutionalized for vehemently espousing his viewsâlater blames shock treatments for declining eyesight and blindness in the â60s.

1948
Founding of Dr. Bronnerâs! Production of liquid Peppermint soap and health food seasonings begins.

1950
All-One! Dr. Bronner lectures in Pershing Square, exhorting all to unite as oneâsells Peppermint soap on the sideârealizes many are taking soap and leaving so prints lecture on labels. Sons Jim and Ralph help with business.
1960s/70s
Dr. Bronnerâs soap becomes iconic soap of the era. Young people groove on labelâs call for peace. Plant moves to Escondido, California. Jim becomes VP of R&D and Production.

1980s
Dr. Bronnerâs soaps spread to mainstream. Ralph works with Dr. Bronner to refine message on bottles. Jim launches Bronner Chemical and Technical Consultingâinvents foam concentrate still used in fighting forest and structure fires.

1990s
Dr. Bronnerâs health failing from Parkinsonâs, sons Ralph and Jim and Jimâs wife Trudy assume control of companyâJim serves as President, Ralph as VP and company spokesperson, Trudy as Treasurer/CFO.

1997
Passing of Dr. Bronner.

1998
Jim Bronner, battling cancer, spends year training son David (24-year-old Harvard graduate, mental health counselor, hemp advocate) to run company. Donates 1,200-acre parcel of wilderness worth $1.4 million to San Diego County Boys & Girls Club. On Jimâs passing, David, with mom Trudy and Uncle Ralph, begins running company.

2000
Michael Bronner joins companyâbegins exportation of Dr. Bronnerâs soaps around the world.

2001-2004
Dr. Bronnerâs funds and helps coordinate hemp industryâs battle to defeat DEAâs regulationsâvictory comes on February 6, 2004âBob Marleyâs birthday!

2003
Dr. Bronnerâs becomes largest personal care company certified under USDAâs National Organic Program. Pioneers 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. Institutes progressive business practices: 5-to-1 compensation cap between top salaried employee and lowest-wage warehouse positionâ100% health coverageâall profits not needed for business dedicated to progressive causes and charities. Uncle Ralph performs off-off-Broadway one-man show about his life, father, Dr. Bronnerâs Magic Soaps.

2005
Sue Kastensen (Sun Dog Hemp Body Care) joins Dr. Bronnerâsâhelps reformulate her famous lip balms, body balms and lotions to USDA National Organic Program standards.

2006
Comprehensive project to source all major raw materials from certified Fair Trade sources.

2007
Dr. Bronnerâs certified as Fair Trade company. Release of independent film, Dr. Bronnerâs Magic Soapbox.
2008
Dr. Bronnerâs celebrates 150 years of soapmaking and 60 years of certified organic products. Expands distribution into Israel, fulfilling Emanuel Bronnerâs lifelong dream.

2011
Sister company, Dr. Bronnerâs Germany (DBG), opens in Dusseldorf, distributes throughout Europe. Dr. Bronnerâs co-brands with its Fair Trade coconut supplier from Sri Lanka (Serendipol) to launch White Kernel and Whole Kernel Fair Trade Coconut Oils.

2010 to 2013
David Bronner arrested outside DEA headquarters for planting hemp seeds, and again for harvesting hemp plants in a cage in front of the White House. September 2013, Dr. Bronnerâs staff celebrates with farmer Ryan Loflin as he harvests first American commercial hemp crop in over sixty years.

2012 to 2013
GMO labeling throwdown! Dr. Bronnerâs partners with coalition of parent, consumer, health and environmental groups to demand labeling of genetically engineered foods.

2014
After growing 1,100% over 15 years, Dr. Bronnerâs moves into larger factory. Commits to becoming a zero waste operation.

2015
Passing of Ralph Bronner, heart and soul of Dr. Bronnerâsâinspired us all to hold true to the mission of spreading love first, making profits second. Thank you, Uncle Ralph!
