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 A wax ear plug makes it into the history books
At the beginning of the 20th century, city dwellers in particular were subjected to great changes in their living conditions. Industrialisation and mechanisation were accompanied by noise levels which no one could escape. The hissing and whistling of the steam engines, the roaring and hammering of the factories and the noises of the increasing number of cars and trams were omnipresent. Tightly packed living quarters aggravated the situation. And in many middle class families, the offspring tortured the ears of the neighbours with the playing of the popular piano.
Many people felt helplessly exposed to the new permanent noise levels. One of them was the philosopher, writer and medic Theodor Lessing. In 1908, he founded the “Deutscher Lärmschutzverband” [“German Noise Protection Association”], which addressed the public with regular publications such as “Das Recht auf Stille” [“The Right to Silence”] and “Der Anti-Rüpel” [“Anti Louts”]. However, it took more than the pen to fight the phenomenon of noise. The time had come to take action to make people’s lives more pleasant. |
Maximilian Negwer 1872-1943 |
Maximilian Negwer and the discovery of a market niche
The chemist and pharmacist Maximilian Negwer from Silesia opened a pharmacy in 1901 in Berlin. There he sold his own products such as the stain solution “Helgalin” and home-made cough sweets. In 1907, he ceased doing business at the pharmacy and, in October of the same year, founded the “Fabrik pharmazeutischer und kosmetischer Spezialitäten Max Negwer” [“Factory of Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Specialities of Max Negwer”]. The small company distributed contemporary products, such as beauty powders, migraine sticks, frost and cold creams, perfumes and bags for smelling salts, some of which were produced in-house and others of which were goods for resale. In search of new products, Negwer stumbled upon the topic of hearing protection. Here he recognised a great need for improvements: ultimately, the hearing protection used up until then – involving apparatus made from wood, metal, celluloid or hard rubber – rather resembled mediaeval instruments of torture. But the inspiration for a groundbreaking invention came from a rather unexpected source. |
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Inspired by the Odyssey
It may sound odd, but Homer’s famous Odyssey is what provided the ultimate inspiration for the invention of Ohropax. It was said to be in about 1903, when Maximilian Negwer and a group of acquaintances came across the wax ear plugs in the ancient saga. For everyone who is unfamiliar with Homer, here is a summary of the 2700-year-old adventure: Odysseus and his companions were warned about the Island of Sirens by the sorceress Circe. Whoever allowed themselves to be seduced by their enchanting song was doomed to die. But Odysseus was known for his cunning. Following the advice of the sorceress, he blocked up the ears of his men with plugs of beeswax. He had himself tied to the mast so that he could listen to the sirens but still resist them. |
Original OHROPAX Classic
Wax ear plugs |
The birth of OHROPAX – a legendary invention
Full of enthusiasm, experiments were soon performed with waxes, tallows and fats. Above all the addition of cotton wool played a decisive role, as it gave the ear plugs the necessary cohesion. Negwer recognised the significance of the new kind of product and soon after began marketing it under the striking name he had coined himself: “OHROPAX” (German-Latin for ear-peace). OHROPAX was born!
However, improvements had to be made to the initial formulation. Beeswax, for instance, often resulted in skin irritations and sheep’s tallow tended to go rancid. Negwer replaced them with stable and skin-friendly paraffin waxes and types of Vaseline. Now, pleasantly soft ear plugs could finally be produced, which were comfortable to wear and could be removed without any residue. Incidentally, this composition was already so perfect that it has remained practically unchanged up until the present day! |
The first packaging of OHROPAX (1908) |
The first packaging “OHROPAX ear protectors” was launched in autumn 1908 for the price of 1 mark. The tin contained 6 pairs of wax ear plugs.
It began being sold in medical shops and department stores.
This form of packaging defined the appearance for many decades. |
army pack, 3 pairs (1917) |
In 1917, OHROPAX was introduced in the army. The wax ear plugs were now available to both the fighting troops and in the field hospital. It was in this way that the product first became known among many groups of the population.
The army tin in the illustration points out various fields of application:
“To combat the noise impact of the thundering of cannons, for the wounded and ill as well as medical staff, during swimming to prevent the penetration of water, for use in airships, aeroplanes and automobiles. For artillery, war ships, in bivouacs and rail traffic.” |
Franz Kafka (1883 - 1924) |
From the outset a favourite among high society
Franz Kafka (1883 to 1924) was not just famous for his literary achievements. He is also said to have possessed an extreme need for peace and quiet. So, it’s no wonder that he started using OHROPAX as early as 1915, as is testified in one of his many letters to Felice: “For the day-to-day noise I have had an aid sent in from Berlin, OHROPAX, a type of wax wrapped in cotton wool” (from: letter to Felice, 5. IV. 1915). And in another letter he wrote: “Without OHROPAX day and night, I really couldn’t cope” (from letters 1902–1924, end of July 1922). Thus it is only natural that, shortly after its market launch, OHROPAX rapidly became a favourite among creative souls, who achieved great things on an intellectual level. People needing peace and quiet to collect their thoughts and put them down on paper found this with OHROPAX. And this has remained unchanged up until the present day. |
Model of the human ear with OHROPAX-advertisment in pharmacies (1930) |
1928 was the beginning of a phase of intensive advertising. OHROPAX could be found in numerous newspapers, magazines and chemists’ window displays. This resulted in a considerable increase in sales and product recognition.
Towards the end of the 1920s, there were numerous competitor products on the German market.
However, the outstanding product properties of OHROPAX enabled it to win over an increasing number of consumers. As early as the beginning of the 1930s, OHROPAX established itself as the most well-known brand of hearing protection in Germany.
There was also a considerable increase in the amount of exports to the rest of Europe. |
tin for 12 plugs (1974) |
After the second world war, the company headquarter was moved from Potsdam to Frankfurt am Main and, shortly afterwards, to Bad Homburg.
The 1950s were a decade marked by rapid growth in turnover. Soon the sales figures of the pre-war years were surpassed.
OHROPAX was also available to citizens of the German Democratic Republic. Here the production was continued by a nationally owned company.
In the 1970s, the design of the tin underwent a major makeover, which could be recognised by the characteristic logo and the brighter colors.
In 1980, the tin was replaced by plastic packaging in the same shape. |
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The company has been based in Wehrheim im Taunus since 1991 and is today run by a grandson of the founder. It has approximately 30 employees. The main product is still the OHROPAX Classic. Over 30 million wax ear plugs are produced each year. Previously, plates of the wax material were poured and formed into ear plugs by hand, but today state-of-the-art technology is used. Further ear plug products as well as health items complete the current retail range. |
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