The man who kept our skin hydrated and soft, the inventor of Vaseline

Robert Augustus Chesebrough — Inventor of Vaseline
Discovered at Woodlawn Cemetery, New York

On my walk through Woodlawn Cemetery in New York, I came across the fallen monument marking the grave of Robert Augustus Chesebrough, the chemist who invented and popularized petroleum jelly, known as Vaseline.

Born in England to American parents, Chesebrough was raised in New York City. His early career involved refining kerosene from sperm whale oil. Later, while visiting an oil field in Pennsylvania, he learned about “rod wax,” a jelly-like residue cleaned from oil equipment. Though initially considered a nuisance, it was discovered that the substance soothed cuts and burns, speeding healing.

Chesebrough patented the process of refining petroleum jelly and by 1874, Vaseline was selling over 1,400 jars daily in stores.

A lifelong believer in his product, Chesebrough claimed to eat a spoonful of Vaseline every day. He lived to the age of 96.

1837-1933