Bayer AG was a worldwide powerhouse run from Germany. After World War I, however, its overseas property was confiscated as part of German reparations. In the United States, the seized operations were sold to Sterling Winthrop.
By 1994, Bayer USA was a division of Eastman Kodak. Kodak was looking to de-consolidate as part of another corporate fad and it sold the division to Bayer AG. For the first time since the early 1900's, Bayer was finally back in one piece.
