The word "aspirin" is a generic term today, but in the 19th century it was a brand name for a new wonder drug developed by what company?

Today, the common pain reliever known as aspirin is a household name, often used generically to refer to acetylsalicylic acid. However, this wasn't always the case. At the close of the 19th century, it was a groundbreaking new medication, and the name "Aspirin" was a registered trademark of the German chemical and pharmaceutical company Bayer.

Bayer chemist Felix Hoffmann first synthesized acetylsalicylic acid in a stable form in 1897, looking for a less irritating alternative to other salicylate drugs. Marketed by Bayer starting in 1899 (Review), "Aspirin" quickly became a sensation, hailed as a wonder drug for its effectiveness in relieving pain, fever, and inflammation. The name itself was coined by Bayer, combining "a" from acetyl, "spir" from spiraea ulmaria (the plant source of salicylic acid), and "in" as a common drug suffix.

While Bayer successfully trademarked "Aspirin" in many countries, its status as a generic term in places like the United States stems largely from the aftermath of World War I. As part of the Treaty of Versailles, German assets, including the "Aspirin" trademark, were seized by Allied nations, allowing it to enter the public domain in those territories. This historical twist is why the brand name for a revolutionary drug became a universal term.