In 1963, the A. H. Robbins Company, formerly of Richmond, acquired Chap Stick lip balm from Morton Manufacturing Corporation. At that time, only Chap Stick Lip Balm regular stick was being marketed to consumers; however, since 1963, a number of line extension have been introduced.

In 1971, four Chap Stick Lip Balm flavored sticks were added, followed by Chap Stick Sunblock 15 in 1981. In 1985 Chap Stick Petroleum Jelly Plus was introduced in Regular, Sunblock 15, and Cherry-flavored varieties, all in squeezable tubes. In 1992, in response to growing consumer expectations, Chap Stick Medicated, in three forms -- sticks, squeezable tubes and jars -- was launched. This expanded considerably the selection of lip care products available to consumers, further solidifying Chap Stick's leadership position in the lip care category.

In December, 1989, A. H. Robins, formerly based in Richmond, was acquired by American Home Products Corporation. As might be expected, the product has undergone a number of changes in formula, form and packaging throughout the years. Yet today, at an A. H. Robins Consumers Products plant in Richmond, Chap Stick is still poured into molds -- but on a modern production line. During a regular shift, approximately 85,000 units are produced.

According to a September 1996 issue of Med Ad News, WhiteHall-Robins reports that sales of Chap Stick were up 10.73%, generating $63 million in revenues.

Like the Corner Drug Dealer!

------------------

"Another Tale Of Personal Courage"
by Jon Carroll
Reprinted from the April 22, 1997 issue of the San Francisco Chronicle by permission
THIS STORY HAPPENED in Egypt, but it could have happened in Your Town, U.S.A. The participants were third-tier media celebrities and a glamorous international circus star, but it could have been just ordinary lumpy people like you and your friend Ed.
Addiction knows no name, no country, no special waiting areas in Third World airports. Addiction can happen to men and women and writers alike. Addiction is no respecter of class, money, wit, style, fabulous long swooping scarves or the ability to catch oneself by one's heels while swinging 20 feet in the air.

It's a terrible thing, addiction. We weep.

It was my younger daughter who broke through the cycle of denial. She started an intervention, although at the time it sounded like a peevish comment. We were all sitting on a low wall in Luxor. We were supposed to meet someone who was not meeting us.

``You use way too much Chapstick,'' she said to my wife, Tracy Johnston, noted travel writer.

``I do not,'' said Tracy, deep in her disease.

``Yes, you do,'' reasoned Shana, the glamorous international circus star. She was wearing newly purchased sunglasses that made her look like Christina Onassis after a particularly harrowing birthday party.

``You can't use too much Chapstick,'' said Tracy. ``It's not like it's addictive or anything. We're in Egypt; it's dry; I'm using Chapstick. How can that be wrong?'' Oh, it was hot that day.

``Ha!'' said Shana. I said nothing. I was witnessing. Or napping. One of those.

``Chapstick is very addictive,'' Shana continued. ``I had a friend who had this problem.'' Then she told about the friend who had this problem. It was such a harrowing tale I cannot bring myself to repeat it here. Also, I was napping. But it ended: ``And now she's cured.''

TRACY SQUIRMED like the trapped junkie rat she was. ``I don't use it any more than anybody else.''

``You use it more than me,'' I said, suddenly awakening from feigned sleep. Both women looked at me as though a curbstone had suddenly begun to speak. I settled back into my watchful posture.

But Tracy was considering the issue. She is fair- minded, even though she has an unnatural fondness for waxy substances on her lips. She realized that Shana might be right.

Perhaps she was powerless over Chapstick. Perhaps her life had become unmanageable, a long, dreary march from tube to tube. She lived only for that moment. If nothing else was available, she even used cherry flavor. Oh, God, it was sad. I would have said something, had I been allowed to speak.

``I have come to accept that only a power greater than myself can restore me to sanity,'' Tracy said. ``What is the next step?''

``Stop using Chapstick so much,'' said Shana. Oh, she is wise beyond her years.

AND SO SHE DID. She quit cold turkey, or perhaps cold lard, that day in Luxor. She just said no. When she wanted to reach for Chapstick, she reached for a semi-automatic weapon instead.

I am here today to support my wife. That's why we're all here in this circle of caring. She has discovered that her craving has been lifted from her. Her lips have remained moist and healthy. Her ``need'' was the result (we believe) of a certain incident with lipstick and a boy named Larry.

But there are no reasons; there is only recovery. Tracy doesn't use Chapstick at all anymore, except socially. At a party in the desert when the wind comes up; maybe then. Or when she goes for a boat ride.

She's been going for a lot of boat rides lately.

------------------

------------------