Marseilles soap's history, page1.

Who invented soap?

So many people, so many claims. In the first century, the Romans used a soft detergent then called "sapo", discovered through their conquest of the Gauls and Teutons.

The Persian "Sabun" with its 2000 years of history, can largely claim to be at the origin of soap and its industrialization. The Arabs invented bar soap before anyone else. It is said that the Aleppo soap is the ancestor of the Marseille soap.

How about Marseille?

Manufacturing soap needs olive oil and caustic soda. The late was obtained by the combustion of plants (Salsola Soda). Ideally located, the port of Marseille could at the same time receive raw materials but also ships finished products.

During the 16 th century, Marseille imitate what was done elsewhere. However, the techniques of supplying raw materials were improving. Then, soaps made in Marseille gained in quality and in popularity, even internationally.

During the 17 th century, the soap industry is flourishing, despite the fact that the war against Spain has cut supplies. In 1660 Marseille has then 7 manufacturers. But in order to protect this industry, Colbert (French minister of finances under the rule of the king Louis XIV), try to nationalized it by giving its production to a single man in the city of Toulon. A failure that led Colbert, 2 years later, with no choices but to legislate again in order to rectify the situation. The Marseille soap production came back to Marseille.

Colbert, still willing to protect the production of Marseille soap, introduce a tax policy discouraging imports of foreign soaps. Insured to sell, the soap makers start to produce a soap of lower quality. The image of Marseille soap went down in the pit and revives imports.

Royal edict of 1688

The Marseille soap industry needed to be rescued again. To this end, Louis XIV introduced a new legislation that this time, gave soap markers in Marseille, very strict specifications regarding the soap manufacturing process (it was even forbidden to work in the summer so that the heat does not deteriorate the quality of the soap). Therefore, it was not before the early 18 th century that Marseille soap regain a clean image. Only then a prosperous new era began.

The expanding

In 1720, the plague strikes Marseille. Production is reduced to almost nothing during the next five years. Then from 1730, a new start begins. Soap is used for washing and degreasing wool. It is also used for washing delicate fabrics. Perfumers and even doctors make good use of it. Given this success, some soap makers abuse the situation and as for luxury goods today, counterfeit were abounding, leading to a revolt of the laundrywomen !

Soap needs will increase throughout the 18 th century. At that time the soap is not yet used for personal hygiene, but for the washing and bleaching of cotton fabrics. The number of Marseille soap factories has then reach 48.