1758
Johann Rudolf Geigy-Gemuseus (1733-1793) begins trading in "Materials, Chemicals, Dyes and Drugs of all Kinds" in Basel.

1857
Johann Rudolf Geigy Merian (1830-1917), together with Johann Müller-Pack acquires a site in Basel, where they build a dyewood mill and a dye extraction plant. Only two years later, they begin the production of synthetic Fuchsine.

1898
Foundation of production site in Grenzach, Germany.

1901
Transformation into a public limited company, and in 1914 the name of the company is changed to J.R. Geigy Ltd.

1920
Foundation of the "Geigy Colour Company Ltd." In Manchester, and three years later a plant in Huningue, France.

1925
Production of textile auxiliaries, which is taken up in 1928 by Ciba.

1935
Production of insecticides. Ciba takes up its activities in this field in 1954.

1938
Creation of a pharmaceutical department.

1939
Production in the new plant of Schweizerhalle. Paul Müller, a Geigy researcher, discovers the insecticidal efficacy of DDT; for this work he receives the Nobel prize in 1948.

1949
The anti-rheumatic drug Butazolidin is the first major drug.

1956
Introduction of the first triazine-based herbicides (Simazine, Atrazine).

1958
Introduction of Tofranil and its first successes in the area of psychotropic drugs.

1959
Introduction of the first long-lasting diuretic Hygrotone for the treatment of high bloodpressure.

1963
Introduction of anti-epileptic Tegretol.

1970
Ciba and Geigy merge to form Ciba-Geigy Ltd. In 1992, the company introduced a simplified "Ciba" logo, although the company's official name remained Ciba-Geigy Ltd.