A Slogan for the Ages The story behind “20 Mule Team Borax.”

Frank Smith (photo) was in his 20s when he discovered large deposits of borax in Nevada. He soon became a millionaire, with operations moving into California. The company used 20-mule team wagons to haul the borax from the mines and take it to the refineries.  In 1891, company administrator Stephen Mather persuaded Smith to trademark a sketch of a team as well as the phrase “20 mule team borax.” The slogan gained international fame. Mather later became the first head of the National Park Service.