Celebrate The Insulin Centennial With Us
Commemorate a century of innovations and breakthroughs which changed people’s lives
We recognize the value and importance of continued innovation in diabetes.
Therefore, we at ATTD are very excited to announce that we will be awarding an exemplary individual our Insulin Centennial Award at our ’21, ’22, and ’23 ATTD Conferences.
Tune into the ATTD 2021 Virtual Closing Ceremony on Saturday, 5 June 2021, to see who will win the 2021 Insulin Centennial Award. Then, stay tuned for more information on our website on how to apply for the ATTD 2022 award!
Read more below about how far we’ve come over the past century
The History & Manufacturing of Insulin
Take a 360-degree look at insulin use, as well as research and development, over the last 100 years.
Over the last 100 years, significant advancements have been made in insulin manufacturing.
Take a look at the history and improvements in insulin manufacturing.
Major Achievements Over The Years
1922, 1923
Patient JL was a patient of Dr. William McKim Marriott at the St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Prior to the first photograph, he was diagnosed with diabetes for two years and was on a typical starvation diet of the period. He weighed 15 lbs on December 7, 1922.
The second photograph was taken Feb 26, 1923 when he weighed 30 pounds and was on a diet of 55 grams of carbohydrate, 85 grams of protein, and 100 grams of fat. Over the three months he was treated with insulin, his dosage was reduced from 75 units to 15 units, believed to be an indication of an increasing carbohydrate tolerance due to the insulin.
[Note: contrary to many internet postings who mistake this child for Leonard Thompson, this is not Leonard Thompson.]
1923
A production operator and an insulin finishing line.
1923
Seven men are by a truck owned by Capitol Transfer Co. that is holding a 34,000 pound insulin vacuum drier. The truck is parked in front of Eli Lilly Building Number 20 in Indianapolis
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~1933
Leonard Thompson was the first person in the world to receive an insulin injection. He received his first dose in January of 1922 at the age of 14. He lived on insulin for the next 13 years until the age of 27, when he died from pneumonia.
1935
Early automated manufacturing of insulin
This new initiative is supported by Eli Lilly
If you would like to get involved, please contact us