Band-Aid is a brand name of American pharmaceutical and medical devices giant Johnson & Johnson's line of adhesive bandages and related products. It has also become a genericized trademark for any adhesive bandage in the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada and India.

The term "band-aid" has also entered usage as both a noun and verb describing a temporary fix. (e.g. "Band-aid solutions were used to fix the leak.")

History
The Band-Aid was invented in 1920 by Johnson & Johnson employee Earle Dickson for his wife Josephine, who frequently cut and burned herself while cooking. The prototype allowed her to dress her wounds without assistance. Dickson passed the idea on to his employer, which went on to produce and market the product as the Band-Aid. Dickson had a successful career at Johnson & Johnson, rising to vice president before his retirement in 1957.

Sold in packs of 15 for 2 cents, the original Band-Aids were handmade and not very popular. By 1924, Johnson & Johnson introduced a machine that produced sterilized Band-Aids. InWorld War II, millions were shipped overseas, helping popularize the product.

In 1951, the first decorative Band-Aids were introduced. They continue to be a commercial success today, with such themes such as Superman, Spider-Man, Hello Kitty, Rocket Power, Rugrats, smiley faces, Barbie, Dora the Explorer, and Batman.

Related J&J products
Johnson & Johnson also manufactures Band-Aid liquid bandages, Scar Healing bandages, and Burn-Aid, burn gel-impregnated bandages. Their newest products include Active Flex bandages and waterproof Tough Strips.

To protect the name their trademark, Johnson & Johnson always refer to their products as "Band-Aid brand" and not just Band-Aids.

Manufacturing facilities are located in Brazil and China.