On March 6, 1899, Fredrich Bayer & Co. registered the name, Aspirin, for acetylsalicylic acid, in Germany. The active ingredient, salicin, was known, but it  tasted terrible and irritated the stomach. In 1897, Bayer employees created a form of the drug that was easier to take. After WWI, Bayer’s assets were seized and auctioned. Aspirin went to Sterling Products. Bayer was absorbed by another German conglomerate. In 1994, Bayer purchased back the rights to the Bayer name and logo.