Dr. Jonas Salk was recruited to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
In 1947, Dr. Jonas Salk was recruited from the University of Michigan by Dr. William S. McEllroy, dean…
An outbreak of influenza occurred in Japan and Korea in American troops
In late 1946, an outbreak of influenza occurred in Japan and Korea in American troops. It spread in…
Inactivated influenza vaccine was first licensed in the U.S.
In 1945, the inactivated influenza vaccine was first licensed in the U.S. The first vaccine was an inactivated,…
Karl Habel and John Enders isolated the mumps virus
In 1945, Karl Habel and John Enders isolated the mumps virus. Habel and Enders had successfully cultivated the…
Use of cell cultures for virus growth was discovered
In 1944, the use of cell cultures for virus growth was discovered. This allowed viruses to be cultured…
Margaret Pittman began work on the intracerebral challenge potency assay for pertussis vaccine
In 1943, Margaret Pittman began work on the intracerebral challenge potency assay for pertussis vaccine. The standardization effected…
Dr. Jonas Salk arrived at the University of Michigan School of Public Health
In 1942, Dr. Jonas Salk arrived at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Techniques earned there…
Connaught Laboratories developed the first combined vaccines for diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus
In 1941, Connaught Laboratories at the University of Toronto developed the first combined vaccines for diphtheria, pertussis, and…
Karl Habel produced an improved, killed rabies vaccine that eliminated foreign brain tissue caused paralysis
On Sept. 6, 1940, Karl Habel produced an improved, killed rabies vaccine that eliminated foreign brain tissue that…
Agriculture | Biology | Diagnostics | Infectious Disease | Life Science History | NIH | Therapeutics | Vaccine
Herald R. Cox discovered that rickettsiae could be cultivated successfully in the yolk-sacs of chick embryos
On Dec. 23, 1938, Herald R. Cox published: Use of Yolk Sac of Developing Chick Embryo as Medium…
Gordon E. Davis and Herald R. Cox identified a new rickettsial disease, which they called Nine Mile Fever
In 1938, Gordon E. Davis and Herald R. Cox identified a new rickettsial disease, which they called Nine…
Influenza vaccine developed to protect U.S. military forces
In 1938, Thomas Francis, Jr., MD and Jonas Salk, MD served as lead researchers at the University of…
Dr. Armand Frappier conducted the first studies to validate the tuberculosis vaccine
In 1938, Dr. Armand Frappier, at the Institut de Microbiologie et d’Hygiene de Montreal, conducted the first studies…
The Rocky Mountain Laboratory became part of the National Institute of Health
In 1937, the Rocky Mountain Laboratory became part of the National Institute of Health (NIH). During World War…
Albert Sabin and Peter Olitsky successfully grew poliovirus in a culture of brain tissue
In 1936, Albert Sabin and Peter Olitsky at the Rockefeller Institute successfully grew poliovirus in a culture of…
A live yellow fever vaccine was first licensed
In 1936, Max Theiler, Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at Yale (and later the Rockefeller Institute), and…
Maurice Brodie and John Kolmer test polio vaccines, with disastrous results
In 1935, Maurice Brodie, a research assistant at New York University, attempted to produce a formaldehyde-killed polio vaccine…
Ida A. Bengtson began standardization of antitoxin for six species of Clostridium which cause gas gangrene
In 1934, Ida A. Bengtson began standardization of antitoxin for six species of Clostridium which cause gas gangrene….
The Hygienic Laboratory changed its name to the National Institute (singular) of Health
In 1930, the Hygienic Laboratory changed its name to the National Institute (singular) of Health and authorized the…
Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine was first used in newborns
In 1927, Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine was first used in newborns, having been developed by Albert Calmette and…
Roscoe R Spencer and Ralph R Parker produced a vaccine against Rocky Mountain spotted fever
In 1924, Roscoe R. Spencer and Ralph R. Parker produced a vaccine against Rocky Mountain spotted fever, the…
Future President of the U.S. Franklin D Roosevelt became a victim of polio
In 1921, future President of the U.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) became a victim of polio at the…
Hollister-Stier Laboratories was founded in Spokane by chemist Guy Hollister and Robert E Stier, MD
In 1921, Hollister-Stier Laboratories, located in Spokane, is the oldest name in allergy science. The company was founded…
Hygienic Laboratory investigators changed way smallpox vaccinations were administered to soldiers
In 1916, During World War I, work by Hygienic Laboratory investigators changed the way smallpox vaccinations were administered…
Guillain-Barr syndrome, also known as Landry-Guillain-Barr-Strohl syndrome, was described
In 1916, Guillain-Barr syndrome (GBS), also known as Landry-Guillain-Barr-Strohl syndrome, was described. Its incidence in North America and…
Pertussis vaccine, a suspension of inactivated Bordetella pertussis cells, was licensed
In 1915, Pertussis vaccine, a suspension of inactivated Bordetella pertussis cells, was licensed. Inactivated vaccines were prepared with…
Typhoid vaccine was first licensed in the U.S.
In 1914, the first typhoid vaccine was licensed in the U.S. in 1914. Typhoid immunization was required of…
The Tetanus toxoid was introduced
In 1914, the tetanus toxoid was introduced following the development of an effective therapeutic serum against tetanus by…
Rabies vaccine was first licensed in the U.S.
In 1914, rabies vaccine was first licensed in the U.S. The H. K. Mulford Company, founded in Philadelphia…
Virus (vaccinia) grown in cell culture for the first time
In 1913, for the first time ever, a virus (vaccinia) was grown in cell culture, and then in…