In 1907, Charles R. Bard founded C. R. Bard in New York City. Bard’s first business involved importing Gomenol. In 1926, the company was sold to John F. Willits and Edson L. Outwin.

The company expanded into the catheter business, introducing the Foley catheter in 1934 and the America Woven Catheter in 1940. Bard went public in 1963 and was listed on the NYSE in 1968.