Fly-Tox Hand Sprayer, 1940-1950

Summary

The Toledo Rex Spray Company trademarked "Fly-Tox" in 1923. The Rex Company (later Rex Research Corporation) marketed Fly-Tox to kill common household pests. As the organochlorine Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) gained creditability after World War II as a less-toxic compound, Fly-Tox incorporated DDT. Widespread use of DDT and its documented negative effects on ecosystems led U.S. legislators to ban the chemical in 1972.

The Toledo Rex Spray Company trademarked "Fly-Tox" in 1923. The Rex Company (later Rex Research Corporation) marketed Fly-Tox to kill common household pests. As the organochlorine Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) gained creditability after World War II as a less-toxic compound, Fly-Tox incorporated DDT. Widespread use of DDT and its documented negative effects on ecosystems led U.S. legislators to ban the chemical in 1972.

Artifact

Hand sprayer

Date Made

1940-1950

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2017.0.34.269

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Metal
Wood (Plant material)

Color

Red

Dimensions

Length: 13 in

Width: 3 in

Height: 4.5 in

Inscriptions

on barrel of sprayer: USE / GENUINE / FLY-TOX / ESTABLISHED / REX / 1896 / KILLS / FLYS BEDBUGS MOTHS ANTS / MOSQUITOS ROACHES FLEAS / MADE IN USA on each end of reservoir: FLY-TOX

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