William Wrigley, Jr.,
(born Sept. 30, 1861, Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.—died Jan. 26, 1932, Phoenix, Ariz.), American salesman and manufacturer whose company became the largest producer and distributor of chewing gum in the world.
Today, the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company is a global organization with operations in more than 40 nations, distributing products to more than 180 countries. Its heritage is filled with stories of leadership, innovation, and integrity, but its origins begin over a century ago when a Chicago businessman decided to offer his customers a little “something for nothing.”
Heritage Timeline
Wrigley has been delighting consumers with fun, innovative, high-quality products for over 100 years. From baking powder and soap in Chicago in 1891, to gum, mints, hard and chewy candies, and lollipops around the world today, Wrigley has evolved and expanded with an eye to the future and a steady focus on the consumer. Choose from the dates below or the images to the left to explore Wrigley's rich heritage.