William H. Luden

William H. Luden (1859-1949) was the developer of the menthol cough drop. He launched a backroom candy business in 1879 in the rear of his father's jewelry shop at 35 N. 5th St., Reading, Pennsylvania, USA [ [http://www.rootsweb.com/~paberks/photo/LudensCandyPlant.html The Luden's Candy Plant at Eighth and Walnut Streets ] ] . His "factory" was his family's 30 square foot kitchen. An early product was "moshie," a Pennsylvania Dutch (German-American) candy made with brown sugar and molasses. [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20010117000200/www.hersheys.com/products/other/ludens.html Hershey Foods Corporation - LUDENS ] ]

Luden collaborated with a pharmacist to develop a cough drop formula. He colored his cough drops amber instead of the red associated with cough drops at the time. In 1881, Luden's honey-licorice menthol throat drops were introduced. "Luden's Menthol Cough Drops" were sold for many years in 5-cent packages.

Luden introduced new packaging methods as well, lining boxes with wax paper to extend shelf life.

In 1882, he moved his operations to 37 N. 5th St., and offered an extensive line, including cough drops, hard and soft candies, chocolates and marshmallow products. Luden manufactured his own chocolate for his candies unlike many confectioners of the time. In 1892 Luden moved his operations to a larger building at Sixth and Washington streets in Reading [ [http://www.rootsweb.com/~paberks/library/business/a-f.html Index to Berks County Businesses ] ] .

In 1900, he moved to still larger quarters on Eighth street beyond Walnut, where he erected a four-story brick building, expanded in 1909.

William Luden retired in 1927 [ [http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/836428/from_ludens_mothers_kitchen_to_the_world/index.html From Luden's Mother's Kitchen to the World - Science - RedOrbit ] ] .

In 1928, the company was acquired by Food Industries of Philadelphia, a holding company owned by the Dietrich family. The Luden's brand has subsequently transferred ownership several times. In 2006, it transferred from Pfizer to Johnson & Johnson.

William Luden, age 90, died May 8th, 1949 of a heart attack in Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.A.

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