I love modern medical technology! There are people in my family who wouldn't be with us today without the miracles of modern medicine and the people who bring these breakthroughs to pass.  

Did you know that demands of World War II brought about a new age of medical science? Well, it's true!! And we still benefit from many of these innovations today!!

Here are some medical science advancements from the 1940's. 

• The first kidney dialysis machine.
• World War II research efforts brought about the miracle drugs penicillin and the sulfonamides.
• Rh factor in blood was discovered by a team of researchers at the Rockefeller Institute.
• In 1941 Red Cross  begin the National Blood Donor Service to collect blood for the U.S. military and by 1949 the U.S. blood system is comprised of 1,500 hospital blood banks, 46 community blood centers, and 31 American Red Cross regional blood centers.
• The first vaccine for influenza.
• The first defibrillator was invented.
• Acetaminophen was discovered.  
• Plastic contact lenses were discovered.
• In 1949 nitrogen mustard became the first drug to receive FDA approval as a treatment of cancer.

It's highly likely one of these innovators from the 1940's had an influence on a life you know and love.  A window into the lives of these people and millions of others will be open when the 1940 US Census is finally available to the public. Please consider joining the 1940 U.S. Census Community Project as we work together to index names from this exciting census. Click here for more information.  

As part of the1940census.com ambassador program this blog post enters me into a drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card.