Societal contributions of CWRU research

Over the years, researchers at America's major universities have made many significant contributions to society. Following is a list of some of the contributions made by faculty, staff, and students at Case Western Reserve University. This compilation is hardly all-inclusive.

Pioneered the use of ether as a general anesthetic (1847) and the use of gas anesthesia in surgical operations (1916).
Developed the first actuarial tables upon which the modern life insurance industry is based (1858).
Discovered that the earth's motion had no effect on the movement of light, disproving the belief that the earth floated in a sea of ether. This discovery marks the beginning of modern physics, and is associated with Einstein's later work on relativity (1887).
Discovered the atomic weight of oxygen, which is the basis for calculating the weights of all other elements (1895).
Performed the first blood transfusion (1905).
Developed simulated milk formula for infants, now marketed as Similac (1915).
Performed the first open heart surgery (1935) and developed the first heart-lung machine to be used during open-heart surgery (1950s).
Performed the first successful life-saving defibrillation of the human heart (1947) and developed the method of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (1952).
Developed a test for infants that has made it possible to identify mental retardation within a year after birth (1987).
Created the first artificial human chromosomes, opening the door to more detailed study of human genetics and potentially offering a new approach to gene therapy and the treatment of a broad range of genetic diseases (1997).