Jonas Salk, M. D.

The Salk Polio vaccine developed at the University of Pittsburgh changed medical history, preventing many thousands of cases of the crippling illness and saving thousands of lives. April 12, 1955, Salk was hailed as a “miracle worker,” and the day “almost became a national holiday.” His sole focus had been to develop a safe and effective vaccine as rapidly as possible, with no interest in personal profit. When he was asked in a televised interview who owned the patent to the vaccine, Salk replied: “There is no patent. Could you patent the sun?