The Oldest Products Continuously Sold in America

New products appear every day for consumers to buy. As technology advances, the quality of purchases typically does as well. However, that doesn't mean that everything new is better than the brands that came before. When a product is made well, people continue buying it for generations. Some companies and products have been around in the United States since before the nation declared its independence from England.

The oldest product in America that's still being sold in the United States is Caswell-Masey personal care products. In 1752, the company started selling items for people looking to enhance their appearances. They claim to be the longest-running personal care developers in the United States, which nobody has challenged. In fact, the company was so noteworthy in the 1750s that George Washington himself used the cologne that they created. It's safe to assume people will always care about their appearances, which means Caswell-Masey will most likely be a brand of the future.

Another American brand that's been around for more than a century is Baker's chocolate. The company is known in 2024 for selling delicious chocolate that Americans can't get enough of. With the love of chocolate sticking around, it's safe to assume Baker's chocolate will be around for the long haul. On the subject of American products throughout history. test your American flag knowledge by clicking here.

To compile this list of the oldest continuously sold products in America, 24/7 Tempo consulted brand-related sources, including the Business News Daily and The Daily Meal.

The oldest continuously sold product in America first was released before the United States was a country. Caswell-Masey first started selling personal care products in 1752, 24 years before the Declaration of Independence was signed by the Founding Fathers. Even in the 1750s, people cared about how they looked and smelled. There are stories of people not showering as often as they do in 2024, which made personal hygiene an even bigger deal in the 1750s.

The company became so popular that even George Washington used their cologne to make himself smell nice. The company has continued to grow and adapt with the new scents people love. In 2024, with the rise in social media, tons of millennials and Gen-Zers feel the need to ensure they always look and smell their best. With no clear sign that personal care is going anywhere in the near future, it's safe to assume Caswell-Masey will continue to be a part of tons of people's lives.

In 1764, there were no televisions, no cellphones, and no internet access for people to get updates on the news happening around them. The newspaper industry exploded in popularity, and one of the most popular places to get news was the Hartford Courant. They were the first newspaper in America to print news for people to read. At first, the paper was called the Connecticut Courant. The name shifted, but there are still plenty of people relying on the Hartford Courant for news.

One industry that appears to be shifting is the newspaper industry. Rather than publish pieces on paper, outlets are relying on internet traffic for readers. The new way people consume news means it's easier for people around the world to read the Hartford Courant. As long as there's news to break, the Hartford Courant will likely always be there for people. As the technology world expands, expect more people to continue using their phones and computers to read newspapers.

There's something special and satisfying about receiving a letter in the mail in 2024. Unlike with a text or an email, someone writing a letter with a pen on stationary can't edit what they've written once it's been mailed. Additionally, if someone wishes to change their words as they're writing, they'll have to use another piece of stationary and start over from scratch. During 1770, Crane stationary first was released. It was the only way two people who didn't live near each other could communicate was via letters.

Stationary from Crane is also used for wedding invitations. The explosion of technology has made stationary less needed in society, but that doesn't mean it's going away anytime soon. Gen-Z enjoys using simple things, like stationary to write letters to each other. They're fascinated by a world that isn't glued to their smartphone or computer all day. There's no telling how long people will use stationary, but people can always rely on Crane to provide the best paper for letters.

Whenever someone has a sweet tooth, the first thing they reach for is a bar of chocolate. One of the earliest chocolate-making brands in the United States is Baker's. The company first started to make chocolate on a consistent basis in 1780, after Dr. John Baker bought back the shares from his former partner's widow. Once Baker had all of the control in the company, there was no stopping Baker's chocolate sales.

There are countless different ways to serve chocolate in 2024. To add crunch and flavor, brands incorporate nuts to the center of their bars and squares. However, it seems like there's a rise in nut allergies among younger kids around the United States. This means brands are likely going to have to find a new way to add crunch and flavor to their food. The love of chocolate probably won't go anywhere in the future, which means Baker's chocolate will continue producing squares for anyone who wants some.

People enjoy drinking alcohol with their friends and families. They also enjoy drinking after a long day of work. Prior to 1790, there were no licensed distilleries in the United States. Andrew Laird created Laird & Co. after coming to the United States from Scotland. Laird & Co. quickly became known for their apple brandy, which was so popular that George Washington was given the recipe to make at his home after he concluded his presidency.

In 2024, people are still drinking alcohol during celebrations and after working long hours. There's no telling what the future of alcohol will be, since a large percentage of Gen-Zers prefer using things like Zyn and vaping to curb their stresses of daily life. For now, people still rely on Laird & Co. to give them the best apple brandy on the market.

Another brand that first came onto the scene in 1790 is King Arthur flour. When cooking recipes, flour is one of the most commonly used ingredients. In the late 1700s, there weren't tons of different ways to cook food. Flour helps breaded foods stay together with more structure. Bread was commonly served with most meals back then since it's easy to make. Flour is also used to make sweet treats like cakes and cupcakes.

In 2024, more people are eating out than ever before. Most millennials and Gen-Zers don't want to come home and cook after working all day. Instead, they'd rather get their family a pizza or have an oven-made meal. There's no telling how much longer flour will be used by the everyday consumer, but restaurants will always have a need for it. That means that King Arthur will likely stay in business for a long time.

The need for glassware has been around for centuries. You can tell a lot about a person, their wealth, and how sophisticated they are based on the glass they have in their home. The Libbey Glass Co. was first created in 1818 and has been part of society ever since. They have beautiful glassware that holds different foods or liquids. However, most people who buy these exquisite pieces usually don't add anything to the inside. Instead, they let the glasses sit there and be admired by guests.

It's important to clean glassware carefully, especially those with designs on the outsides of them. The older pieces made by Libbey are worth tons of money, if they're still in tact. People love collecting old glassware because of how rare it is. A work of art like glass is liable to fall and shatter at any moment. Today, Libbey Glass sells for as cheap as $15, since they make basic water glasses. The prices go up based on the size and creativity on the outside of the glass.

People have always wanted ways to dress up and look their best. Since 1818, Brooks Brothers has provided everyone with classic looks that are always evolving to stay with the times. The company is so highly-respected that 39 Presidents have used them to design suits to wear. However, there was almost a time when the company shut down recently. In 2020, during the pandemic, Brooks Brothers was forced to close all but 170 of their stores around the world.

Much like other companies, Brooks Brothers suffered from the worldwide shutdown in 2020. They figured out a way to stay afloat, though, and appear to be building back their brand. The key with suits is to keep up with the trends and what people are shopping for. In 2024, it appears like most men enjoy having a tight suit that form fits to their bodies.

Few items scream wealth like a leather flask. Jacob Bromwell is a company that first made it into the marketplace in 1819. However, the company makes much more than just flasks. They also are known for other kitchenware, stainless steel, and tin products. The importance of having stainless steel and tin is the ease of cleaning them. If you get something on a leather flask, it's important to wash it carefully so there isn't a stain.

People are always looking for new and exciting ways to showcase their wealth and status. While tons of different trends have came and gone over the years, leather products have always been around. They often signify that someone has made it in life. The rise in social media means people are always attempting to promote themselves and their lifestyles. Jacob Bromwell will probably be around for as long as people care about how they look on the outside.

Jewelry hasn't been the same since Tiffany & Co. first launched their business in 1837. Even though there are tons of replica Tiffany products on the market that try to mimic the real thing, those who own Tiffany know the difference. Tiffany Jewelry stores around the United States attract the wealthiest people in each city they're located in. The necklaces and rings from Tiffany start at roughly $900 for the most basic design.

The problem Tiffany has it that a lot of millennials and Gen-Zers don't care about brand names anymore. They only care about how the product looks. They think if they can get something for nearly 80% cheaper, even if it's fake, they'd rather buy that than something that only merely offers its brand name. There will always be a market for high-end jewelry and goods, but there's a chance it won't be as big as it once was.

In 1839, a blacksmith named John Brinly founded his lawn care company. In 2024, the organization is still thriving. Because of his experience working on farms, Brinly knew exactly what it took to keep a lawn looking nice and green. Brinly was constantly looking for different ways to enhance his products and make them the best on the market. Lucky for Brinly-Hardy, people still care a lot about how their lawn looks compared to the rest of their neighborhoods.

Every community has a couple of lawns that stand out compared to the rest. They're always trimmed, green, and have no dead spots around. There's a good chance they're using the products Brinly-Hardy have developed over the years. The amount of focus and energy that people put into their lawns doesn't appear to be changing in the near future. This means Brinly-Hardy will likely be around for years to come.

There are few ways to show patriotism to your country more than having a flag that represents it. Ever since 1847, Annin Flagmakers has supported the United States and made the best flags for people to fly high in their yard. The company usually sees a large increase in sales during elections and when wars are being fought. People in America like to show their patriotism during these times more than most others.

However, Annin Flagmakers should expand their portfolio. Most young millennials and Gen-Zers don't have the same pride for the United States that Gen-Xers and baby boomers have. This means that fewer young people are buying flags that represent the United States. However, that doesn't mean they aren't buying flags at all. There are pride flags, team flags, and state flags that Annin Flagmakers can perfect to continue selling to people.

Seemingly every classroom in the United States has a copy of a Merriam-Webster dictionary somewhere. People still use them when they're looking to figure out the meaning of a word or group of words. While it might feel shameful to use a dictionary at any point, Merriam-Webster has helped plenty of people. The company first created their dictionaries and reference books in 1847, making them one of the oldest sources of knowledge in the United States.

Something important Merriam-Webster does is keep an eye on trendy words and phrases that come about each year. Even the weirdest, most random phrases make their dictionaries. Social media is a place where countless phrases have been created. "Rizz" first gained traction on social media. In 2023, Merriam-Webster added it to the official dictionary. The official definition for "rizz" is "romantic appeal" or "charm." Social media users loved seeing their word added to the official dictionary.For more United States content, click here to read about Americans' favorite athletes.