The Making Of 4711 Eau De Cologne: A German Legacy

4711 is a classic German cologne that has been worn by men and women since the 18th century. The fragrance was first created in 1792 when Wilhelm Mülhens received a secret recipe for a miracle water intended for internal and external use. Wilhelm opened a manufactory in the Glockengasse area of Cologne, Germany, and marketed his miracle water as a health drink. The name 4711 was assigned to the building during the French occupation of 1796, and the cologne has been known by this name ever since.

The origins of 4711 cologne date back to 1792 when Wilhelm Mülhens received a secret recipe as a wedding gift

Wilhelm Mülhens soon opened a manufactory in the Glockengasse area of Cologne, Germany, and marketed his miracle water as a health drink, served undiluted or mixed with wine. The name came about in part thanks to the French military occupation that began in 1794. Frustrated by the disorganized layout of the city, a French general ordered that all the houses be sequentially numbered. The house that Mülhens occupied was given the number 4711, which has stuck with the brand ever since.

In the early 1800s, Mülhens was keen to capitalize on the reputation of the Johann Maria Farina family, who had created and sold a popular "eau de cologne" in Cologne since 1709. He obtained the rights to the "Farina" name from Carlo Francesco Farina, who had no connection to the original Farina family. Mülhens opened his own factory in Cologne and produced his own eau de cologne using the "Farina" name. He also licensed the name and the right to produce his product to at least 20 other people. However, by 1835, legal action voided the licenses and forced the closure of the affiliated businesses.

Anxious to resume production, Mülhens sent his son to Italy to find another Farina and once again establish the company through that name. This again led to legal action, and in 1881, Wilhelm Mülhens' grandson, Ferdinand Mülhens, adopted the "4711" name for both the company and their product after the family was barred from ever using the "Farina" name again. The "4711" name had been registered as a trademark in 1845 and was derived from the building number assigned to the Mülhens' Glockengasse building in 1796.

In 1810, Napoleon decreed that all recipes for medications intended for internal use publicly list their ingredients. To protect his secret recipe, Mülhens began to market his miracle water solely as a fragrance.

Today, the original Glockengasse building no longer exists due to urban renewal. However, the 4711 number is still alive, and another Glockengasse building was later constructed to accommodate further cologne production. The brand has since changed hands several times and is currently owned by Mäurer & Wirtz, an independent subsidiary of the Dalli Group.

The cologne was originally marketed as a health drink served undiluted or mixed with wine

The origins of 4711 cologne can be traced back to the late 18th century when businessman Wilhelm Mülhens (or Muelhens) received a secret recipe for a type of "aqua mirabilis" or "healing miracle water" as a wedding gift. Mülhens set up a small factory in the Glockengasse (meaning "Clock Tower Square") area of Cologne, Germany, and began to manufacture and sell his product as a health drink, served undiluted or mixed with wine. The cologne was originally marketed as "Cologne Water", marked with the words: "Franz Maria Farina – Klöckergasse No. 4711 in Cöln a. R.".

The name "4711" came about due to the French military occupation of the Rhineland that began in 1794. During this time, a French general, frustrated by the disorganised layout of the city, ordered that all houses be sequentially numbered. Mülhens' house was given the number 4711, and this has stuck with the brand ever since.

In the early 19th century, Mülhens began to market his miracle water as a fragrance as well as a health drink. However, in 1810, a decree by Napoleon Bonaparte required that all medicines disclose their ingredients. To protect his secret recipe, Mülhens redesignated his product as a remedy for external use only, and it was advertised as a stimulating tonic for aroma-therapeutic purposes.

Over the years, the 4711 brand has grown and expanded, and today, the cologne is known for its traditional "secret" formulation of citrus oils, herbals, flower extracts, water, and alcohol. The brand has changed hands several times, and the original Glockengasse building where the cologne was produced no longer exists. However, the 4711 number remains, and the cologne continues to be a popular and well-known scent, particularly in Germany and with older generations.

The name 4711 comes from the house number assigned to the Mülhens' Glockengasse building during the French occupation of Cologne

The origins of the name "4711" for the world's first Eau de Cologne can be traced back to the French occupation of Cologne in 1796. The French military occupation, which began in 1794, saw a French general become frustrated by the disorganised layout of the city. As a result, all the houses were sequentially numbered, including the house of businessman Wilhelm Mülhens, which was given the number 4711. This sequential numbering was a modern French administrative technique, known as 'conscription numbers', which aimed to end the confusing disorder of house naming and ultimately facilitate the quartering of troops.

The previous system of naming buildings, which relied on names such as 'House of the Bear' or 'House of the Whale', was confusing for strangers to the town. The new numbering system was rational and served as an aid for orientation. However, years later, the address of the Mülhens Glockengasse building changed again when the continuous numbering system was abolished and replaced by a street-based system. Nonetheless, the name '4711' remained as the trademark for the cologne.

The cologne's founding goes back to the 18th century when the Johann Farina family left Italy and travelled to Cologne, Germany, where Johann created and sold his "eau de cologne". By the early 1800s, Wilhelm Mülhens obtained the rights to produce the cologne and started his own factory in Cologne. He licensed the scent under the Farina name and distributed it to others. However, by 1835, legal action voided the licenses, and Mülhens sent his son to Italy to find another Farina to continue the company under that name. This led to more legal troubles, and the Mülhens family was legally barred from using the Farina name.

As a result, Mülhens' grandson, Ferdinand, adopted the "4711" name for both the company and the cologne. The "4711" name was registered as a trademark in 1845 and was derived from the building number assigned to the Mülhens' Glockengasse building. The original 4711 Glockengasse building was demolished during urban renewal, and a new building was constructed to accommodate further cologne production. The new Glockengasse building became a popular tourist attraction in the city of Cologne.

The cologne's trademark was registered in 1875, but the building no longer exists due to urban renewal

The history of 4711 Eau de Cologne dates back to the 18th century. In 1792, businessman Wilhelm Mülhens was given a secret recipe for "aqua mirabilis" or "miracle water" as a wedding gift. In 1799, Mülhens began to sell his miracle water as "Cologne Water", marked with the words: "Franz Maria Farina – Klöckergasse No. 4711 in Cöln a. R.". The number 4711 was the address of Mülhens' building in Glockengasse, Cologne, which was assigned during the French occupation of 1796. The continuous house numbering system was introduced to end the confusing disorder of house naming and ultimately to facilitate the quartering of troops.

In 1875, the 4711 trademark was registered in Germany's commercial register. However, the original 4711 Glockengasse building no longer exists due to urban renewal. The building was destroyed during World War II, specifically during the American carpet bombing of Cologne in 1943. By the 1950s, a new headquarters building had been constructed, and the company continued to expand and innovate in the following decades.

Today, the 4711 cologne is known for its traditional "secret" formulation of citrus oils, herbals, flower extracts, water, and alcohol. The brand has a long and legendary history, and its scent is often associated with nostalgia and memories of past generations. The unique flacon, known as the Molanus Bottle, also contributes to the perfume's brand recognition and practicality.

The brand changed hands several times and is now owned by Mäurer & Wirtz, an independent subsidiary of the Dalli Group

The history of 4711 Eau de Cologne is a long and complex one, with the brand changing hands several times over its existence. The brand was created in 1792 by Wilhelm Muelhens, who received the recipe as a wedding gift. The fragrance was initially marketed as a health drink, but in 1810, Muelhens began marketing it as a fragrance to avoid having to publicly disclose his secret recipe. The brand experienced significant growth in the 20th century, with the introduction of new perfumes and an expansion of its product line. However, the brand faced setbacks during World War II, as its headquarters and manufacturing plant were destroyed during the bombing of Cologne.

In the post-war period, 4711 rebounded and continued to expand internationally. The brand changed hands several times during this period, eventually coming under the ownership of the German Wella corporation in 1994. In 2003, the Wella corporation was acquired by the US conglomerate Procter and Gamble, marking the first time the brand had passed into American ownership. However, this ownership was short-lived, as Procter and Gamble sold the brand in 2006.

This is where Mäurer & Wirtz comes into the picture. Mäurer & Wirtz is a German manufacturer of personal care products and perfumes, founded in 1845 by Michael Mäurer and his stepson, Andreas August Wirtz. The company initially produced soaps, which were sold in a local grocery store. Over time, they expanded their market presence throughout Germany and neighbouring countries. In 1939, the company split into three separate entities: Mäurer & Wirtz, Chemie Grünenthal, and Dalli-Group. Mäurer & Wirtz became a subsidiary of the Dalli Group, which is Europe's second-largest manufacturer of private-label laundry detergents.

Mäurer & Wirtz acquired the 4711 brand in 2006, bringing it back into German ownership. The company recognized the importance of this traditional German brand and saw the potential for expanding its profits. In addition to the 4711 brand, Mäurer & Wirtz also acquired the famous 4711 shop in Cologne, which has become a popular tourist attraction. As an independent subsidiary of the Dalli Group, Mäurer & Wirtz is one of the three largest fragrance manufacturers in Germany. The company is currently managed by the fifth generation of the Wirtz family, with Hermann Wirtz serving as joint CEO.

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