johnson's great-grandfather, samuel curtis johnson sr., founded the s.c. johnson company in 1886 as a parquet floor manufacturing business. the company, renamed s.c. johnson & son in 1906 when johnson's grandfather, herbert fisk johnson sr., became a partner, began selling wax for hardwood floors in the early 20th century as an additional service. the wax business became more lucrative than the parquet floor business as the company developed wax for use on surfaces as diverse as dance floors and airplanes.