George Rieveschl
George Rieveschl | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 9, 1916 Lockland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | September 27, 2007 (aged 91) Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Cincinnati |
| Occupation | Chemical Engineer |
| Known for | Inventing the popular antihistamine diphenhydramine |
| Spouse | Ellen |
| Children | 2 |
George Rieveschl (January 9, 1916[1] – September 27, 2007) was an American chemist and professor. He was the inventor of the popular antihistamine diphenhydramine (Benadryl), which he first made during a search for synthetic alternatives to scopolamine.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Born in Arlington Heights, Ohio, Rieveschl was the son of George and Alma Hoffling Rieveschl. He attended the Ohio Mechanics Institute before earning bachelors, masters, and PhD degrees in chemistry[3] at the University of Cincinnati (UC).[4]
Career
[edit]After receiving his PhD in 1940, Rieveschl returned to the University of Cincinnati where he served as a professor of chemical engineering, and later a professor of materials science. At the university he led a research program working on antihistamines. In 1943, one of his students, Fred Huber, synthesized diphenhydramine. Rieveschl worked with Parke-Davis to test the compound, and the company licensed the patent from him. In 1947 Parke-Davis hired him as their director of research. While he was there, he led the development of a similar drug, orphenadrine.[5]
Rieveschl remained active in the Cincinnati-area science and arts community until his death at age 91 from pneumonia. He had contributed an estimated $10 million to his alma mater, according to a UC spokeswoman.[4]
The main life sciences building on the campus of the University of Cincinnati is named for Rieveschl.
References
[edit]- ^ "George Rieveschl". Ohio History Central. Retrieved October 4, 2007.
- ^ Ritchie, James (September 27, 2007). "UC prof, Benadryl inventor dies". Cincinnati Business Courier. Retrieved October 4, 2007.
- ^ Miller, Michael (2020-09-11). "Reader's Digest: UC grad's invention one of 'most trusted brands' in health". UC News. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
- ^ a b Hevesi, Dennis (September 29, 2007). "George Rieveschl, 91, Allergy Reliever, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- ^ Sneader, Walter (23 June 2005). Drug Discovery: A History. John Wiley & Sons. p. 405. ISBN 978-0-471-89979-2.
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