Abstract:
Lunsford Richardson II, a native of Johnston County, invented Vicks Vapo-Rub. He taught school before becoming a pharmacist. His first drugstore was in Selma, which he sold before moving to Greensboro, where he opened another one. There he developed a number of home remedies under the name of Vicks. His most famous product was Vicks VapoRub, a balm which contained menthol, a little-known drug from Japan. Ninety years after his death, Vicks VapoRub is known around the world and continues to relieve the discomfort of sick people.