Happy 99th anniversary, Pepto-Bismol! Launched in 1919 and currently produced by Procter & Gamble, this pink liquid has spent nearly a century acting as a medicine cabinet staple that treats and provide relief for the five symptoms of overindulgence including nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, and diarrhea.

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In celebration of the major milestone, Pepto-Bismol has released an updated formula. This new formula features Ultra Coat technology, described by the brand as a protective coating on the stomach lining that soothes irritation and calms down tummies.

Outside of its reputation for #PinkRelief, Pepto-Bismol is also famously known for its 5-symptom jingle. A rebooted version of the iconic singalong has been rolled out to accompany its new formula with the promise that if you have “nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, and diarrhea” Pepto-Bismol will treat your stomach right.

But, I seem to recall that at one point Pepto-Bismol had its own brand mascot. Am I wrong about this?

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Nope! The 24-Hour Bug, created in 1968, was one icky fellow. I normally don’t put characters down like that, but he was made to be the epitome of bad germs.

A sickly green with a Grinch-esque sneer, the 24-Hour Bug made appearances throughout the 1960s and 1970s in commercial spots depicting just how miserable he could make us feel internally.

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It was tough to make him go away, but luckily Pepto-Bismol came to the rescue with its coating action. This soothed nausea and upset in stomachs, until the 24-Hour Bug “stops bugging you.” This character definitely had a shorter lifespan than most brand mascots, but in this case I don’t think anyone would object to the need to get rid of him.

1 COMMENT

  1. Well well well…. My father in law designed the “BUG” for P&G and we still have the original art work! Always loved him and always will!

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