Original Item: Only One Available. A fateful conversation inspired the creation of Johnson & Johnson’s First Aid Kit, which was released in 1888. Aboard a train heading to Colorado for vacation, company founder Robert Wood Johnson struck up a conversation with the Denver & Rio Grande Railway’s chief surgeon. The doctor explained to Johnson the dangers of railroad construction and the lack of medical supplies to treat the unique industrial injuries that were often incurred great distances from hospitals. From this exchange, Johnson saw an opportunity to both advance the field of healthcare and build his young business. And from this modern need, the commercial First Aid Kit was born.

In 1913 the U.S. Army developed a medical belt to be used on the battlefield. The belt had ten pockets which contained a tourniquet, adhesive plaster, safety pins, iodine, gauze, field dressing, bandages, ammonia, pins and diagnosis tags. A canteen hanger and ax carrier were also a part of the belt, along with various other accessories.

But during WWI, it became evident that the medical belt design was not effective. It did not withstand the trials of war. Both the packaging and the contents were considered utterly useless in the field, and the medical belt was no longer used by the U.S. military.

By World War II, medical corpsmen wore just two medical pouches at the waist, which wouldn’t interfere with mobility – a lesson learned by the failure of the medical belt. Johnson & Johnson continued evolving the first aid kit for widespread use by every individual and industry.

As technology continues to advance, the contents of the medical kit continue to advance as well. But many of the original items have stood the test of time. Although tourniquets, dressings and other items have changed throughout the years, the general concept of the medical kit remains the same – to save lives.

This wonderful kit was specifically designed for US Naval Aviators and aircrews who had the high possibility of bailing out over bodies of water. The contents of the kit was packed in waterproofing material, but unfortunately the triangle bandage no longer retains the waterproof packaging. The main bulk of the kit is packed in a clear plastic case and taped along the seam to ensure no wonder would get in. The plastic case is unopened and still sealed with tape and all contents inside. The contents include (1) Compress Bandage, (1) Bell Dressing, (2) Syrettes, (12) Sulfate Tabs, (6) Seasickness Pills and (1) Triangular Bandage. The kit was packaged by Conray Products Company of New York, New York.

The overall condition of the kit is excellent and more than likely never saw the inside of an aircraft. There is minor fading to the canvas carrier case and the front still retains the red US Navy markings. Both snaps are present and functional. The triangular bandage is out of its packaging but it’s still present as well as the card.

Comes more than ready for further research and display.

Idiot Clause - the contents of this kit are pre-1945 manufacture and are NOT suitable for use. They are being sold as novelty collector pieces only.