Who created the first multi-vitamin?

January 11, 2026 •

3 min read

Before multivitamins became a household staple, a global search for a cure for deficiency diseases was underway in the early 20th century, leading to several key nutritional discoveries. This era of nutritional breakthroughs laid the groundwork for the modern dietary supplement industry.

Quick Summary

The development of the first multivitamin was a multi-stage process involving different contributors. Key figures include Casimir Funk, who conceptualized vitamins, and Carl Rehnborg, who pioneered one of the first multi-mineral/multivitamin supplements sold commercially in the U.S. in the 1930s through his brand Nutrilite. Later, Lederle Laboratories launched a mass-market product during WWII.

Key Points

Scientific Theory: Casimir Funk established the scientific concept of vitamins, which paved the way for multivitamin development.
First Commercial Product: Carl F. Rehnborg is credited with developing and commercializing one of the first multivitamin/multimineral supplements in the 1930s through his company, Nutrilite.
Mass Production: Lederle Laboratories created the first mass-produced multivitamin, 'Vitamins Plus Iron,' in 1943, spurred by World War II demands.
Public Popularization: The post-WWII era saw rapid market expansion, with companies like Miles Laboratories promoting multivitamins as daily supplements.
Collective Effort: No single person invented the multivitamin; rather, it was a slow, collaborative process involving numerous scientists, entrepreneurs, and government initiatives over decades.

The Scientific Origins of Vitamins

The story of the multivitamin begins not with a single pill, but with scientific advancements in understanding nutrition. In 1912, Polish biochemist Casimir Funk coined the term 'vitamine,' deriving it from 'vital amines'. Funk theorized that diseases like beriberi and scurvy were caused by a lack of these specific, vital compounds. While his initial theory that they were all amines was later disproven (prompting the name to be shortened to 'vitamin'), his work established the concept that dietary deficiencies could cause illness. Funk's hypothesis spurred a generation of scientific investigation, leading to the isolation and identification of numerous individual vitamins over the next few decades.

The Pioneers of Commercial Multivitamin Production

While Funk provided the theoretical groundwork, the person most widely credited with creating the first multivitamin for commercial sale in the United States was Carl F. Rehnborg. During his time in China in the 1910s and 1920s, Rehnborg observed the correlation between diet and health. This experience inspired him to experiment with plant-based concentrates to create a supplement.

Carl Rehnborg and Nutrilite

Rehnborg's extensive research culminated in the creation of a pioneering multivitamin/multimineral supplement in the early 1930s. He founded the California Vitamin Company, later renamed Nutrilite Products, Inc., in 1939. His products were initially sold through a word-of-mouth, multi-level marketing model, which was revolutionary at the time. Rehnborg's focus on phytonutrients from plants was a key feature of his early supplements, differentiating them from other approaches being explored at the time.

Lederle Laboratories and Mass Market Production

The multivitamin industry took another significant step forward during World War II. In 1943, Lederle Laboratories introduced the first mass-produced multivitamin, 'Vitamins Plus Iron,' which was developed to support the health of soldiers and factory workers during wartime. This initiative, along with President Franklin D. Roosevelt establishing the National Nutrition Conference for Defense in 1941, led to the creation of government-sponsored daily allowance recommendations. The widespread availability and promotion of these wartime multivitamins set the stage for their post-war popularization.

Multivitamin Evolution: From Necessity to Wellness Trend

Following the war, multivitamins became a staple in many American households, no longer just for severe deficiencies but as a form of 'nutritional insurance'. The market expanded significantly, with companies like Miles Laboratories introducing the popular 'One-A-Day' line in the 1940s. The 1950s and 60s saw aggressive marketing campaigns, positioning multivitamins as an essential daily ritual. Later, specialized versions for children, like the famous Flintstones vitamins, further cemented their place in popular culture.

Timeline of Multi-Vitamin Development

1912: Biochemist Casimir Funk coins the term 'vitamine' and proposes the concept of nutritional deficiency diseases.
1930s: Carl F. Rehnborg develops and begins selling one of the first multi-vitamin/multi-mineral supplements in the U.S. through his company, which would become Nutrilite.
1943: Lederle Laboratories introduces 'Vitamins Plus Iron,' marking the first mass-produced multivitamin product, aided by a government-mandated focus on nutrition.
1940s: Miles Laboratories launches its 'One-A-Day' line, further popularizing the daily supplement habit.
1968: The iconic Flintstones multivitamins for children are introduced, targeting a new demographic.

Comparison: Key Figures and Their Contributions


Figure	Contribution	Time Period	Key Outcome
Casimir Funk	Coined the term 'vitamine' and theorized nutritional deficiencies.	Early 1910s	Established the scientific concept of vitamins, driving further research.
Carl F. Rehnborg	Created one of the first commercially available multi-vitamin/mineral supplements in the U.S..	1930s	Founded Nutrilite, pioneering a plant-based supplement model and direct-sales approach.
Lederle Laboratories	Introduced the first mass-produced multivitamin, 'Vitamins Plus Iron'.	Early 1940s	Made multivitamins widely accessible and tied their use to public health initiatives.

Conclusion: A Collaborative Legacy

Attributing the creation of the first multi-vitamin to a single individual is an oversimplification. While Casimir Funk provided the foundational scientific theory, Carl Rehnborg was a crucial innovator in developing and marketing one of the first commercial multivitamin products based on his observations and plant-based research. The process was further industrialized by companies like Lederle Laboratories during a period of national need. Ultimately, the modern multivitamin is a product of this collective history, born from the work of scientists, entrepreneurs, and public health advocates over several decades. For further reading, see the Office of Dietary Supplements from the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Casimir Funk is credited with coining the term 'vitamine' in 1912 and hypothesizing the existence of nutrients essential for preventing certain diseases. He did not create the first multivitamin product.

Carl F. Rehnborg created the Nutrilite supplement. He developed his plant-based formula in the 1930s and founded the California Vitamin Company, which later became Nutrilite, to sell his product.

Multivitamins became widely available starting in the 1940s. Lederle Laboratories introduced the first mass-market product in 1943, and Miles Laboratories popularized the concept with its 'One-A-Day' line later that decade.

The invention was driven by scientific research into nutritional deficiencies, particularly diseases like beriberi and scurvy. Scientists discovered that these ailments were caused by a lack of specific nutrients, leading to the development of concentrated supplements to prevent them.

No, the multivitamin's invention was not a single event. It was a gradual, collaborative process involving initial theoretical work, early commercial development, and eventual mass production over several decades in the early to mid-20th century.

The first multivitamin products were developed to address nutritional deficiencies, initially observed by pioneers like Carl Rehnborg in populations with poor diets. Later, mass-produced versions were used to ensure adequate nutrition for soldiers and workers during wartime.

The One-A-Day multivitamin line was introduced and marketed by Miles Laboratories in the 1940s, popularizing the idea of a simple, daily supplement for general health.