Dr. Herbert Smitherman invented Crest toothpaste, Folgers coffee, Safeguard soap and Bounce fabric softener.
Dr. Herbert Smitherman Sr. had an impressive list of accomplishments during his lifetime, from being the first Black person with a doctorate hired by corporate behemoth Procter & Gamble to leading efforts at the company to recruit and retain Black scientists and engineers. He did not, however, invent several household products, despite social media claims. A Facebook post says, 'Did you know Crest toothpaste, Folgers coffee, Bounce fabric softener and Safeguard soap were all created by a Black man? Dr. Herbert Smitherman, with a phD in physical organic chemistry, was a pioneering executive and professional chemist.' The post was flagged as part of Facebook's efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.) The latter details in the post are true: Smitherman had a doctorate in physical organic chemistry and was a pioneer in his field. He is known for making improvements to existing products. But three of the four brands mentioned in the post - Crest, Folgers and Safeguard - were launched or acquired by Procter & Gamble before Smitherman joined the company in 1966. The fourth product, Bounce, was invented by another man who later sold the rights to Procter & Gamble. Crest and Safeguard were both launched by Procter & Gamble, the former in test markets in 1955 and the latter in 1963. Folgers was founded in 1854 by James Folgers, sold to Procter & Gamble in 1963, then sold again to Smuckers in 2008. Bounce was invented by Conrad J. Gaiser, who patented it in 1969 and then sold the rights to Procter & Gamble. Smitherman 'put his mark on many familiar products we use today,' according to his obituary. He had two patents issued under his name that mark his contributions while at Procter & Gamble. 'One of his patents for the toothpaste formula has been cited by 31 other patents, showing how his work has aided other scientists,' according to Amplify Africa.
Our ruling A Facebook post says Dr. Herbert Smitherman invented Crest toothpaste, Folgers coffee, Safeguard soap and Bounce fabric softener. Smitherman did not invent the products, three of which were launched or acquired before he joined Procter & Gamble in 1966. The fourth product was invented by another man who later sold the rights to Procter & Gamble. We rate this claim False. Contributing writer Jeff Cercone contributed research.