In the early 1950s, a basement workshop on...
I Bet You Didn’t Know…
In the early 1950s, a basement workshop on MacLean Street, New Glasgow, saw a rather extraordinary man begin to carry out experiments which led to the production of a very well-known insect repellent.
Charles Coll was an avid outdoorsman and so, while living on MacLean Street, he began creating animal and fish lures. Documents from the Government of Nova Scotia dated October 1st, 1959, show that he was registered from that date, to manufacture and sell a product called "Muskol® Lures". This began a small, family-owned business whose product name was often passed word-of-mouth among those who entered the woods which would last until 1982 when the rights to make and market the product were purchased by Schering-Plough Canada Ltd.
In 1977, Charles and his son Harry, were inducted into the Honorary Order of the Kentucky Colonels, an organization that recognizes service and contribution to the global community and supports many kinds of charitable activities.
The nickname "Colonel" stuck to Charles, and it was used on the packaging of Muskol® and incredibly still is to this day!
Fun fact: A little play-on-words produced the word "Muskol® " which combined "musk", the scent produced by deer - and "call" meaning entice and "Coll" Charles’ surname.