Hydrocodone or Vicodin was created by German scientists in the mid 1920's. They did this by bonding a hydrogen atom to codeine molecules.It was approved for sale in the United States under the brand name Hycodan in 1943.Today it is known as Vicodin.In 1984 Vicodin was approved for sale by the FDA.ydrocodone or Vicodin was created by German scientists in the mid 1920's. They did this by bonding a hydrogen atom to codeine molecules.