History and Story Behind Inventions: Tranquilizer

About the story behind the invention of the tranquilizer, history and biography of inventors Robert Robinson and Emil Schittler.

INVENTION: Tranquilizer

INVENTOR: Robert Robinson, G.B.; Emil Schittler, Switz.

YEAR: 1952

HOW INVENTED: In 1947, the British biochemist and the Swiss pharmacologist discovered that the powdered root of a shrub from India known as sarpaganda had a quieting effect on troubled persons. They worked 5 years producing a white crystalline chemical from the shrub.

The chemical was marketed as the world's 1st tranquilizer, known as Reserpine.