| (1861
- 1932) |
| Inducted: |
2000 |
| Region: |
Chicago |
| Industry: |
Manufacturing
Food |
|
William Wrigley was 29 when he moved to Chicago with $32 in his pocket and a dream to start a business. He was a strong believer in the power of advertising and a consummate salesman who used premiums to encourage purchases of his products. He originally sold Wrigley Scouring Soap, but twice, early in his career, the premiums he offered showed more promise than the products they were supposed to promote. Mr. Wrigley quickly switched from selling soap to selling baking powder, and finally to selling chewing gum. Today, the Wrigley Company is a leading global confectioner, with more than a dozen major brands of chewing gum produced and marketed in over 140 countries. |
