History of Z-M-O® Oil
History as Published Since the 1950s
In the days of the westward movement of America, the early trail blazers were followed by their families in covered wagons. They brought with them, not only their meager farm tools and household possessions, but also a rich lore in food preparation, crop planting methods, and simple, but effective, remedies to keep themselves healthy in a, then, alien country.
Among those hardy souls who found their way into what is now Wisconsin was M. R. “Doc” Zaegel. Doc Zaegel was a pharmacist. He brought with him his jars and canisters of precious curing oils and boxes of myrrh and aloes. All were simple, but time-tested, remedies for the repair and maintenance of the human body. In his little chemist shop in Sheboygan, he mixed salves, syrups, ointments, and powders that he administered to those in need.
Doc Zaegel had a broad knowledge of the uses and curative properties of his medicines. He experimented constantly in an attempt to find one general remedy that could be used for all the minor aches and pains of those early pioneers. He tried combinations of many kinds – some were good and some did no more than provide gentle relief to the ailing. Over the years, however, he gradually formulated an oil combining the best of all of his early experiments. He dispensed the oil in bottles to all who came seeking relief.
Since many of the purchasers of his new-and-improved product lived far out in the wilderness, and many moved on further west, he actually heard very little in reference to the success of his new oil. But as the years passed, early buyers came back to his little shop in Sheboygan and bought more. Each told their own tale of the near miracles Doc Zaegel’s oil had brought about.
It was in the late 1870s though, an accident took place that made the name of old Doc Zaegel famous in the area. During the construction of the railroad through Wisconsin, and as the track was being laid in Sheboygan, a hapless laborer was the victim of a crushing and painful injury. His fellow workers, filled with experience in this sort of accident, felt deeply that the injured man would never recover. At the frantic call of the railroad workers, Doc Zaegel rushed to aid the stricken laborer. Armed with only his knowledge of how to help and a bottle of his curing oil, he arrived at the scene of the accident. First, he did what he could to cleanse the wounds, and then he gently massaged the afflicted parts with the healing combination he had mixed. Almost as a miracle, the pains began to disappear and the period of healing was so rapid and complete that the wondrous stories of Zaegel’s Magic Oil began to be told all along the railroad.
Train construction men and crews moving along the line told one another the story of Zaegel’s oil, and orders began to come to the chemist’s shop from everywhere. Following the orders came more stories and testimonials of the wonderful properties of this new discovery. As the demand became greater, Doc Zaegel began to bottle his oil for shipment to points all over America and the world.
Following the orders came more stories and testimonials of the wonderful properties of this new discovery. Others, finding it helpful in the treatment of their own ills, used it on their livestock. Claims poured into Zaegel’s now-growing pharmacy telling of saving cattle and horses through its use on barb wire cuts, shipping fevers, and
infections. Zaegel began to advertise his product about the turn of the century, and early advertisements proclaimed it “a pain relieving oil for man or beast.” A remedy to “assist nature in the healing of a wound that is better than any salve or ointment because it does not lay on the skin, but penetrates into the wound.”
He changed the name because of this particular trait to “Zaegel’s Magnetic Oil,” and then later, because of the popular reference to the product, he again changed the name to simply Z-M-O® Oil as it is known today.
After the death of Doc Zaegel, Mace Laboratories Inc. of Neenah, Wisconsin took over the manufacture of Z-M-O®. In 1965, H. C. Glessner of Findlay, Ohio purchased the Z-M-O® formula and formed the Z-M-O® Company. They continued to fill mail orders for the many faithful users of Z-M-O®. In 1976, the family of Ruth and Russell Schaffner (long-time customers of Z-M-O®) bought the company and relocated it to Grove City, Ohio. Later Ronald and Doris (Schaffner) Johnson, Donald and Marie Schaffner, Keith Johnson, and Philip Schaffner became the owners. As of the end of 2020, Philip and Valerie Schaffner and Marie Schaffner continue the operation of the company, following the retirement of Ron and Doris Johnson and Keith Johnson. The Schaffners are happy that they can still supply you with this very same quality, healing first aid oil.
After more than 100 years of constant use, Z-M-O® still maintains the confidence of its thousands of users everywhere. Z-M-O’s® original formula patent, issued October 10, 1899, has never been changed – the contents of Z-M-O® are identical to those in the oil used so many years ago.
The makers of Z-M-O® have never maintained that the oil is a substitute for a physician’s care or advice, but it is a praiseworthy and time-tested product. It is a mild and highly effective medication for deep-down under-the-skin penetration. As with all medications, keep Z-M-O® out of the reach of children. Z-M-O® heals without burning and, if used as directed, is safe for every member of the family – even Tabby and Rover!
Bottles embossed “Z-M-O – Zaegel’s Magnetic Oil” still exist and have been found in bottle collections and on display in country restaurants.
History as Published by Max R. Zaegel in 1903
Please Note: Z-M-O® Oil is an external preparation. The 1903 history describes internal uses, which are discouraged by The Z-M-O® Company.
Sheboygan, Wisconsin, a city situated on a high bluff on the shores of Lake Michigan, decided to put in a system of sewerage and water works. In front of Mr. Zaegel’s drug store, situated on a prominent corner of the main street, the trenches dug were very deep, and in order to interfere as little as possible with the traffic, quite narrow, giving the men employed anything but an abundance of room to perform their arduous duties. With conditions as above described, accidents, in spite of all precautions adopted, were unavoidable, and one day a workman so employed was brought into the drug store with an ugly wound caused by another workman striking a pickax through his hand. As before stated, this was an ugly, lacerated wound much worse than that caused by any sharp instrument, and not only very painful, but most difficult to heal, and bleeding profusely. Mr. Zaegel was personally present in the drug store at the time, and was requested, in the absence of a surgeon, to give such temporary treatment as might be necessary. As the man showed evidence of fainting, caused by the shock and pain, he was lead to a chair behind the prescription case and the wound was carefully cleansed with a sponge and warm water, and a little brandy given to revive him. Mr. Zaegel then, upon carefully examining the wound, determined (in the absence of a surgeon to apply the customary stitches) the only thing to do would be to apply some preparation that would possess the following qualifications.
- It must be of an astringent nature to stop the flow of blood.
- It must possess anodyne properties to relieve the pain.
- It must contain antiseptics to prevent the formation of pus or matter, and so give nature an opportunity to repair the injury done.
With these three essential features in his mind, he took a one-ounce bottle out of the case and made a combination of oils from the many bottles on the shelves. Upon his return to the man, he applied a wad of cotton to the wound and, upon saturating the cotton with this oil, all present were pleased to hear the man utter an exclamation of joy and ease, as the moment the oil penetrated the wound all pain was gone and the bleeding stopped as if by magic. Next a gauze bandage was wrapped around the hand to retain in place the now medicated cotton. The balance of the oil in the bottle was given to the man with instruction to occasionally pour a little of the oil on the cotton, not to disturb the wound in any manner, and to return to the drug store within a week.
These instructions were carefully carried out; the man came at the expiration of the time above named. The dressing was removed, and the wound found to be clean and healthy – almost entirely well – causing the man no inconvenience whatsoever. Shortly after that an accident happened in a plumbing shop in that city, where a man was severely injured. Here again, the oil did such marvelous work that many of the workmen then employed on the street would come into the drugstore and ask for some of “that oil,” as they would call it. Mr. Zaegel put up a pint, instructing his clerks to give this oil in all cases where the application of a quick-healing, pain-destroying remedy was indicated. It is needless to repeat the many marvelous cures this oil effected before it was placed on the market.
Suffice it to say that the quantity of a pint was soon increased to a gallon, then to five gallons, and so remarkable did the demand increase that Mr. Zaegel found it could not be put up quickly enough by hand. So a bottling machine was put up in the laboratory. This connected with galvanized iron tanks, holding 10,000 bottles, and instead of a one-ounce bottle as was used for the first mixture, it is now made in quantities of hundreds of gallons at a time.
The next step to make this a commercial success was to give it a name, one that could be duly registered, and so guard the public, as well as the manufacturer, against fraudulent imitations. The name determined was “Zaegel’s Magic Oil.” But, in order to legally protect it, it became necessary to adopt a fanciful design. This consists of a circle and in the center of this the capital letters “Z. M. O,” which are an abbreviation of the words “Zaegel’s Magic Oil,” thus enabling all to intelligently distinguish and identify the product should imitations be offered in its stead. Many similar preparations contain dangerous drugs, the use of which are detrimental to the system: Z.M.O. is free from morphine, cocaine, opium, chloral, or other dangerous drugs and can be, in all cases, used without injurious after effects.
ZMO for Pain bottle circa. 1900
Z.M.O. applied over the seat of pain and rubbed with the palm of the hand, will penetrate through the skin, the muscles, the membranes, and clear down to the very bone, giving instant relief to pain. This is a demonstrated fact, certified by thousands of unsolicited testimonials on file in our office from all parts of the world. It is better than the so-called liniments, because, after relieving the pain, it restores, in many cases, strength and vitality to the affected parts.
Z.M.O. has been found better than all salves and ointments for the treatment of cuts, sores, and burns, as it penetrates into the wound and, through its antiseptic properties, prevents formation of pus or matter, thus assuring a speedy healing of the wound. This makes Z.M.O. an ideal household remedy. The pain of rheumatism, neuralgia, backache, gout, sprains, bruises, or toothache has to be reached before it can be routed. This oil reaches pain by penetration. It is one of its strong points. Inflammation can’t stay in any part of the body after it is applied over the pain.
If you meet with an accident or get a cut, bruise, or burn, saturate a piece of cotton or a soft rag with Z.M.O. and apply to the wound. It will prevent painful swelling, take out soreness, and soothe and heal the injury quicker than anything you have ever tried. If you catch cold in the chest and lungs, rub it thoroughly into breast and back, and you’ll feel all right in a few hours. There is need in every household for something that can be relied on to stop pain. In connection with Zaegel’s Essence, it is the surest relief for rheumatism that we know of, and we know them all. Carefully read the directions on the following pages, and you will find Z.M.O. the greatest household remedy ever placed upon the market.
For back pain, if caused by a cold or overwork, a few applications give prompt relief. If, however, the cause of pain is rheumatism or an affection of the kidneys, take enough of Zaegel’s Essence to move the bowels, and apply Z.M.O., rubbing it well into the back. This treatment will promptly stimulate the kidneys to their normal and healthful action and drive out all the pain and inflammation.
Remember: This history was written in 1903. Today, the Z-M-O® Company discourages any internal use of Z-M-O® Oil.
For coughs and colds, gargle with salt water (to clear the throat) and follow this with a half teaspoonful of Z.M.O., sipping it from the spoon and allowing it to slowly trickle down the throat. Also rub chest and back well with the oil, and, in severe cases, apply on bandages around throat at night. For earache and deafness, hold half a teaspoonful of Z.M.O. over steam of tea kettle until warm, apply on cotton in the ears, also rub Z.M.O. back of the ears. For toothache, dry the cavity first with a piece of cotton, then apply Z.M.O. on cotton placed upon the end of a match or toothpick. Also rub gums with same on tip of finger.
End of 1903 History
Advertising Flyers from the Zaegel Company in 1912
Clockwise from the top: mailing envelope, 1912 calendar, Zaegel’s Lung Balsam flyer, Z-M-O Healing Oil flyer, 1912 list of Z-M-O retailers. Center: Zaegel’s Essence post card
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