Geigy

Geigy was a company of Swiss chemical industry. In 1970, it amalgamated with Ciba to form Ciba-Geigy.

The origins of Geigy go back to the year 1758, date on which Johann Rudolf Geigy-Gemuseus (1733 - 1793) founds a trade of chemicals and medicinal. In 1857, one of its descendants, Johann Rudolf Geigy Merian (1830 - 1917) built in Basle, with a associate, a mill to be able to produce pigments. A little later the two collaborators launch out in the synthetic production of Fuchsine.

Beginning of the 19th century until the Years 1930, Geigy concentrates primarily in the market of the dyeings, the pigments and the textile. It builds several factories during these years. In 1935, the firm launches out in the market of insecticides, then, three years later, starts a research program into pharmaceutical. A new factory makes its appearance within the industrial complex of Schweizerhalle close to Basle.

Use of the DDT

Geigy is more known to be at the origin of the use of DDT like insecticide. It is in 1938 that Paul Müller (Nobel Prize of medicine in 1948) discovers the neurotoxic properties of the DDT on the insects.

Geigy produces thereafter other substances intended for agriculture and medicine:

of the Weedkiller S containing Triazine of which the Simazine (1956)
a Antidepressant named Tofranil (1958)
a Diurétique, the Hygrotone (1959)
a Anticonvulsant, the Tegretol (1963)

Fusion with Ciba

In 1970, Geigy amalgamates with Ciba to form Ciba-Geigy which will take the name of Ciba in 1992, then will be amalgamated with Sandoz in 1996 to form Novartis.

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