William Otto Frohring (July 1, 1893 – September 13, 1959) was an American biochemical researcher, inventor and business executive.
In 1911, he received a two-year scholarship to Ohio State Agricultural College, where he majored in bacteriology and dairy technology.
[7] Dr. Gerstenberger, with the assistance of Harold O. Ruh, MD, was investigating the possibility of developing a dairy formula to supplement or replace maternal milk for infants.
[3] William Frohring was brought on as part of the team with Gerstenberger and Ruh, and eventually became chief chemist on the project.
His idea was to give the patent of the formula to Babies Dispensary and Children's Hospital, and license the manufacture to Telling-Belle Vernon Dairy.
The company was renamed the SMA Corporation, and added carotene concentrate, refined from palm oil, to its product line.
In 1939, SMA, its subsidiary, and all rights to the infant formula were purchased by American Home Products Corporation (AHPC).