Did you know that RISIS Orchids are actually real orchids dipped in gold? Or that Singapore once had its very own perfumery boasting a popular scent called “The Singapore Girl”?

To commemorate Singapore’s 50 years of independence in 2015, the National Heritage Board (NHB) has launched a preview of the “50 Made in Singapore Products” exhibition featuring 20 homegrown products. You’ll get to see local products such as the Rollei Camera, the Setron Camera up close as well as beloved brands like Tiger Beer, UIC and Tiger Balm in their original packaging from decades ago.

Some of these brands need no introduction, and some have gained so much traction overseas that we might have forgotten that their origins started on home ground. Thanks to the National Heritage Board for hosting the preview exhibition of “Made in Singapore Products”, we've come up with of fun facts featuring our homegrown brands.

1. RISIS Orchids

Real flowers, forever preserved in gold.
The Orchid is an undeniably beautiful flower. Don’t you wish you can preserve its beauty forever?  Did you know that RISIS Orchids are made from REAL orchids? Singapore’s national flower plated in gold – it can't get any more special than that.

2. Perfumes of Singapore

Singapore’s very own perfumery.
Did you know that there was once a scent called the “Singapore Girl”? It retailed at hotels, department stores, and on board Singapore Airline’s planes. The company eventually closed down in the 1990s, so if you’ve still got a bottle, you’ve got something special in your possession.

3. Rollei Cameras

Rollei Cameras were actually engraved with the words “Made in Singapore”.
If you own one, lucky you. You're the proud owner of a rare item, because, how many cameras in the world sport such engraving?

4. Axe Brand Universal Oils

Medicated oil was used to manage seasickness even back in the 1960s.
The formula for medicated oil was given to founder Mr Leung Yun Chee by a German physician. In the 1960s, Mr Leung’s son decided to dispatch boxes of the medicated oil as free samples for pilgrims when he realised that many suffered from seasickness on their travels.

5. Three Legs Cooling Water

These bottles of traditional Chinese health drinks were originally made of glass.
They were replaced with the current lightweight plastic bottles in the 1980s to increase the popularity of the drink. Cheers to handy, shatter-proof bottles.

6. Khong Guan Biscuits

We know you still love this.
Khong Guan biscuits are still undeniably popular even now, and here's a little known fact: Demand for the delicious biscuits once grew so phenomenally that the factory went from producing a daily biscuit output of 15 tons in 1970 to a production capacity of 75 tons in 1972.

7. Tiger Balm

Yes, you read it right. Your favourite go-to product for aches and pains hails from Singapore.
Marketing efforts were pretty great even back in the 1930s. One of the marketing tools included a “tiger car” which was refashioned from a German NSU car and then affixed with a tiger head! An effective marketing tool – and definitely attention-grabbing, we say.

8. Tiger Beer

A brand we all know too well.
Do you know that Tiger Beer is established globally too? Currently, Tiger Beer is brewed in 11 countries and can be enjoyed in over 75 countries around the world. Oh, they're unique, too. We’re not sure if you’ve noticed, but Tiger Beer has been modified to suit different market demand and tastes. For example, consumers in China enjoy a milder and lighter version. Try it the next time you go overseas!

9. UIC Consumer Products

The infectious jingle that never really went away.
The good ol' UIC jingle is not one you can easily forget. We hope this packet of UIC detergent from the 1960s brings back fond memories.

10. Diethelm Furniture

You (or your parents) may recognise Diethlem as a popular brand for office system furniture. Did you know that Diethelm & Company started off by specialising in home furniture?

11. Blue Box Toys

Blue Box Toys was Singapore's first toy factory.
You can still find them at retail outlets such as Toys “R” Us, Target, and Walmart. Since they've been adored by adults and children alike since 1952, it seems like these old school toys are here to stay.

12. Setron Televisions

Setron was once the largest television manufacturer in Southeast Asia.
We rely on mobile devices so much for entertainment these days, but do you remember the days when the television as a major entertainment source? Here’s the brand that produced the first Singapore-made television set.

13. Bibi&Baba Apparel

It all started from a small shop specialising in children’s apparel.
Before being known as the leading manufacturer of uniforms today, Bibi&Baba was the contract manufacturer for major foreign brands such as Macys, Marks & Spencer’s and GAP in the 1970s and 1980s.

14. Chop Wah On Medicated Oils

Back in the early 1900s, these medicated oils and balms were favoured gift choices.
Chinese immigrants often brought them along when they returned home to visit their loved ones. Fun fact: Crocodile Oil was used to treat skin-related ailments.

15. Heng Long Crocodile Skins

Nothing says global prominence more than the recognition of an internationally acclaimed luxury fashion brand.
In 2011, Heng Long Crocodile Skins was acquired by Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH).

16. Kwanpen Handbags

Yes, Singapore’s very own brand of crocodile handbags.

17. Crocodile Apparel

Fun fact: the company was initially established to manufacture singlets.
In 2010, Crocodile International apparel sponsor for the first ever Youth Olympic games held in Singapore.

18. Boncafé Coffee

Singapore's first roasting factory.
Today, Boncafe’s products are available in 15 markets worldwide.

19. Tiger Brand Soya Sauce

The company still retains its traditional Chinese methods.
We’re told that Chuen Cheong Food Industries continues to use a recipe that has been handed down through the generations. How’s that for tradition?

20. Amoy Canning Canned Products

Remember the good ol’ Curry Chicken canned products?
Amoy Canning is known for its curry products, but did you know that it produced combat rations for Singaporeans who served National Service from the 1960s to 1980s? The factory also bottled and marketed non-carbonated Green Sport orangeade in 1952.

Which are your favourite homegrown brands? Drop us a comment! Meanwhile, you can drop by the National Library Building (Level 8 – Promenade) this month (by 30th September 2014) to get a closer look at these 20 brands and their heritage. Stay tuned for an even bigger update in July next year as the National Heritage Board presents the full exhibition of Singapore’s “Made in Singapore” products!