William H. Luden

William H. Luden

William H. Luden was a renowned American entrepreneur and inventor, best known for creating the popular Luden's cough drops. Born in 1859 in Reading, Pennsylvania, Luden developed a passion for confectionery at a young age, which led him to establish his own candy-making business.

Early Life

Luden was born to Dutch immigrants in Reading, Pennsylvania. His father was a jeweler, and his mother was a homemaker. He began his career in the confectionery business at the age of 15, working for a local candy manufacturer. He later started his own business in the back room of his father's jewelry store.

Career

In 1879, Luden founded the Luden's company, which initially produced a variety of confections, including chocolates and caramels. However, the company gained significant recognition for its cough drops, which Luden invented in 1881. The cough drops were initially given away for free to railroad workers, which helped to popularize the product.

Luden's Cough Drops

Luden's cough drops were a unique product at the time, as they were made with menthol, a natural remedy for throat irritation. The cough drops were also sweetened, making them more palatable than other similar products on the market. The success of the cough drops led to the expansion of the Luden's company, which eventually became a major player in the American confectionery industry.

Later Life and Legacy

Luden retired in 1927 and sold his company to Food Industries of Philadelphia. He passed away in 1949, but his legacy lives on through the Luden's brand, which continues to produce cough drops and other confections to this day.

See Also

• Luden's
• Cough Drop
• Confectionery Industry
• Entrepreneurship

References

• William H. Luden - The Man Behind the Brand
• The History of Luden's Cough Drops
• American Confectionery Industry - A Historical Overview