1885
James Buchanan ‘Buck’ Duke acquired the license for the first automated cigarette making machine; as a result, ATC cornered the cigarette business. 1902
In 1902 Imperial Tobacco (U.K.) and ATC formed a joint venture. 1890-1907
A trust inititated known as the American Tobacco company. The Duke family absorbed many competitive cigarette companies, 50 factories in all. 1911
The U.S. Court of Appeals dissolved the American Tobacco trust. Formerly independent companies, such as L&M, RJR and Lorillard, resumed business as competitive cigarette makers. 1916
ATC introduced the Lucky ATC president Percival Hill Strike Brand, a regular-sized created the slogan “It’s Toasted” 70mm, non-filtered, American in 1917, still used today on blended cigarette. Lucky Strike cartons. 1924
Honoring a $40 million dollar contribution by Buck Duke, Trinity College in Durham, N.C., changed its name to Duke University. 1928
The “Reach for a Lucky Instead of a Sweet” campaign created controversy with the candy industry. By 1931, Lucky Strike with the unique humidor package was the No. 1 selling brand. 1939
ATC launched Pall Mall 85mm, promising mildness due to the cigarettes extra length. 1940
“Lucky Strike Green Has Gone to War” became a familiar slogan during World War II. 1944
The “L.S.M.F.T. – Lucky Strikes Means Fine Tobacco” campaign gained popularity in the 1950’s. 1953
American Tobacco merged with American Cigar, and in December the company president, Paul M. Hahn, called a meeting of all the tobacco company executives. The infamous meeting led to the formation of the Tobacco Industry Research Committee. 1960
In spite of the extraordinary market shift to filter cigarettes, the non-filter Pall Mall was the national sales leader, during the early 1960s. 1969
ATC acquired several companies during the latter half of the 1960’s. In 1969 ATC was renamed American Brands, a holding company, which owned six subsidiaries, American Tobacco Co., James B. Beam Distilling Co., American Cigar, Sunshine Biscuits, Inc., Gallaher Limited, Duffy-Mott Company, Inc. 1970’s
American Brands attained other companies in the 1970’s such as Master Lock Co., and The Andrew Jergens Co. a cosmetic company. In 1979 American Brands acquired the Franklin Life Insurance Company. 1991
American Brands purchased seven brands from the Seagram Company including: American whiskies Calvert Extra and Kessler, Canadian whisky Lord Calvert, Calvert gin, Ronrico rum, Wolfschmidt vodka, and Leroux liquor. The acquisition made the subsidiary Jeam Beam the third largest spirits company in United States 1994: no image needed, line will merge with B&W
American brands exited the tobacco business by selling ATC to British-American Tobacco (BAT,) which merged ATC with BAT’s U.S.A. operation, the Brown & Williamson Company. The ATC brands marketed by B&W were Pall Mall, Lucky Strike, Carlton and Misty. 1996
American Brands changed it name to Fortune Company in 1996.