The antihistamine Benadryl has provided temporary relief from allergy symptoms for millions of people since it was developed by George Rieveschl at a University of Cincinnati laboratory in the early 1940s and later approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Rieveschl was originally studying muscle relaxants when he discovered the compound diphenhydramine hydrochloride. He sold it under the name ‘Benadryl,’ among others. The medication was sold by Parke-Davis, followed by Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and now Kenvue, the former consumer healthcare division of Johnson & Johnson.

