| 1881 |
Richard Samuel Reynolds is born in Bristol, Tennessee |
| 1903 |
Reynolds begins working for his uncle at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company |
| 1904 |
He marries Julia Louise Parham on December 21, 1904 |
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He invents the moisture-sealed Prince Albert tin and helps develop and merchandise Camel cigarettes |
| 1912 |
After leaving R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, he and his two brothers start a household soaps and cleaning products company called Reynolds Corporation |
| 1914 |
WWI begins, soap is deemed “nonessential” and the Reynolds Corporation factory stops production |
| 1919 |
The Reynolds sell the Reynolds Corporation and R.S. forms United States Foil Company |
| 1926 |
R.S. shifts company’s production from tin and lead to aluminum |
| 1928 |
Reynolds Metals Company is formed |
| 1942 |
Senator Harry S. Truman pays tribute to R.S. for risking all his assets to produce enough aluminum supplies for his country during the war |
| 1945 |
U.S. Court of Appeals decision in United States v. Aluminum Co. of America boosts competition in aluminum industry |
| 1947 |
Reynolds Wrap is introduced to the market, quickly becoming a staple in American kitchens |
| 1948 |
R.S. Reynolds receives the President’s Certificate of Merit from President Truman for outstanding fidelity in the war effort |
| 1948 |
R.S. becomes chairman and Richard Reynolds Jr. becomes president of Reynolds Metals Company |
| 1950 |
Reynolds Metals purchases bauxite deposit in Jamaica, assuring full-scale production of aluminum |
| 1955 |
Richard Samuel Reynolds passes away in his Richmond, Virginia, home at the age of 74 |
| 1955 |
Julia Louise Reynolds establishes the Richard S. Reynolds Foundation to carry on the vision she and Richard shared |
