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Jonas Salk Timeline

(1914 - 1995)

Jonas Salk was an American medical researcher and virologist best known for developing the first successful inactivated polio vaccine, announced safe in 1955. His vaccine led to the near-eradication of polio worldwide, and he founded the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. Salk famously chose not to patent his vaccine, prioritizing public health over personal profit. Less

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Early Life and Education

Birth of Jonas Salk

Oct 28, 1914

Jonas Edward Salk was born on October 28, 1914, in New York City to Daniel and Dora (née Press) Salk. He would grow up to become an American virologist and medical researcher who developed one of the first successful polio vaccines.

Earns Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from CCNY

1934

Salk enrolled in the City College of New York (CCNY), where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in 1934. The school's tuition was comparatively low and, unlike many surrounding institutions, it did not discriminate against Jews.

Marriage to Donna Lindsay

1939

The day after his graduation from medical school in 1939, Salk married Donna Lindsay, a master's candidate at the New York College of Social Work. The couple later divorced in 1968.

Works in Thomas Francis' laboratory at University of Michigan

1941

In 1941, during his postgraduate work in virology, Salk chose a two-month elective to work in Thomas Francis' laboratory at the University of Michigan, an experience that shaped his research career.

Divorce from Donna Lindsay

1968

Salk and Donna Lindsay divorced in 1968, and two years later, Salk married French painter Françoise Gilot, formerly the mistress of Pablo Picasso.

Image source: Jonas Salk

Divorce from Donna Lindsay

Marriage to Françoise Gilot

1970

Two years after divorcing Donna Lindsay, Salk married French painter Françoise Gilot in 1970. Gilot had formerly been the mistress of Pablo Picasso.

Image source: Françoise Gilot

Marriage to Françoise Gilot

Death of Jonas Salk

Jun 23, 1995

On June 23, 1995, Jonas Salk died from heart failure at age 80 in La Jolla, California, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most celebrated medical researchers in history.

Polio Vaccine Research

Accepts professorship at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

1947

In 1947, Salk accepted a professorship at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He became ambitious for his own lab and was granted one, but the lab was smaller than he had hoped, and he found the rules imposed by the university restrictive.

Contacted by Harry Weaver of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis

1948

In 1948, Harry Weaver, the director of research at the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, contacted Salk, connecting him with funding and support that would fuel his polio vaccine research.

Begins project to determine types of poliovirus

1948

At the University of Pittsburgh, Salk undertook a project beginning in 1948 to determine the number of different types of poliovirus, laying the groundwork for his vaccine development efforts.

First human trials of polio vaccine at D.T. Watson Home

Jul 2, 1952

After successful tests on laboratory animals, on July 2, 1952, assisted by the staff at the D.T. Watson Home, Salk administered his experimental inactivated polio vaccine to children who already had polio, marking a major milestone in vaccine development.

Salk vaccinates his own children

1953

In 1953, demonstrating his confidence in the safety of his vaccine, Salk vaccinated his own children against polio, a powerful signal as he prepared for large-scale testing.

Nationwide field trials with one million 'polio pioneers'

1954

In 1954, Salk tested the vaccine on about one million children, known as the polio pioneers, in one of the largest medical field trials in history, paving the way for public release of the vaccine.

Inactivated polio vaccine comes into use

1955

Salk's inactivated polio vaccine came into use in 1955, marking the beginning of mass immunization campaigns against polio around the world.

Increased funding for polio research reaches $67 million

1955

Extensive publicity and fear of polio led to much increased funding, reaching $67 million by 1955, which supported continued vaccine research and distribution efforts.

Image source: March of Dimes

Increased funding for polio research reaches $67 million

Vaccine announced as safe

Apr 12, 1955

On April 12, 1955, the results of the nationwide trial were announced and the vaccine was declared safe and effective. Salk was immediately hailed as a "miracle worker," and he chose not to patent the vaccine or seek any profit from it in order to maximize its global distribution.

Salk vaccine has reached about 90 countries

1959

By 1959, the Salk vaccine had reached about 90 countries, dramatically reducing the incidence of polio worldwide through widespread immunization programs.

Albert Sabin's oral polio vaccine enters commercial use

1961

An attenuated live oral polio vaccine developed by Albert Sabin came into commercial use in 1961, offering an alternative to Salk's inactivated vaccine and becoming widely used in global vaccination campaigns.

Image source: Polio vaccine

Albert Sabin's oral polio vaccine enters commercial use

Legacy and Honors

Honored by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

1955

One month after the vaccine announcement in 1955, Salk was honored by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, where he was given their "highest award for services" by Governor George M. Leader.

Municipal Hospital building renamed Jonas Salk Hall

1957

In 1957, the Municipal Hospital building, where Salk conducted his polio research at the University of Pittsburgh, was renamed Jonas Salk Hall. It is home to the university's School of Pharmacy and Dentistry.

Image source: Jonas Salk

Municipal Hospital building renamed Jonas Salk Hall

Awarded the James D. Bruce Memorial Award

1958

In 1958, Salk was awarded the James D. Bruce Memorial Award, one of many recognitions he received following the success of his polio vaccine.

Image source: Alexander Langmuir

Awarded the James D. Bruce Memorial Award

March of Dimes creates annual prize honoring Salk

1996

In 1996, the March of Dimes Foundation created an annual $250,000 cash "Prize" awarded to outstanding biologists as a tribute to Salk.

USPS issues commemorative postage stamp

2006

In 2006, the United States Postal Service issued a 63-cent Distinguished Americans series postage stamp in honor of Jonas Salk.

Induction into the California Hall of Fame

2007

In 2007, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver inducted Salk into the California Hall of Fame, recognizing his enduring contributions to science and medicine.

Image source: California Hall of Fame

Induction into the California Hall of Fame

Premiere of documentary The Polio Crusade

Jan 2009

In early 2009, the American Public Broadcasting Service aired its new documentary film, American Experience: The Polio Crusade, chronicling the fight against polio and Salk's pivotal role.

Image source: American Experience

Premiere of documentary The Polio Crusade

World premiere of The Shot Felt 'Round the World

Apr 12, 2010

On April 12, 2010, to help celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Salk vaccine, a new 66-minute documentary, The Shot Felt 'Round the World, had its world premiere, telling the story of the vaccine's development.

Image source: Shot heard round the world

World premiere of The Shot Felt 'Round the World

World Polio Day established in honor of Salk's birthday

Oct 24, 2012

In 2012, October 24, in honor of Salk's birthday period, was named "World Polio Day." The observance was originated by Rotary International over a decade earlier and continues to raise awareness of polio eradication efforts.

Image source: World Polio Day

World Polio Day established in honor of Salk's birthday

Robert Redford directs documentary about the Salk Institute

2014

In 2014, actor and director Robert Redford, who was once struck with a mild case of polio when he was a child, directed a documentary about the Salk Institute in La Jolla.

Image source: Salk Institute for Biological Studies

Robert Redford directs documentary about the Salk Institute

Google Doodle honors 100th anniversary of Salk's birth

Oct 28, 2014

In 2014, on the 100th anniversary of Salk's birth, a Google Doodle was created to honor the physician and medical researcher whose vaccine helped conquer polio.

Image source: Google Doodle

Google Doodle honors 100th anniversary of Salk's birth

Michael McElhatton portrays Salk in Genius

2018

In Chapter 10 of the 2018 season of Genius, Michael McElhatton portrays Salk in a short cameo where he is shown on a date with Françoise Gilot, reflecting Salk's place in popular culture.

Image source: Genius (American TV series)

Michael McElhatton portrays Salk in Genius

Salk Institute and Later Work

Founding of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies

1963

In 1963, Salk founded the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California, which is today a center for medical and scientific research. Supporters, particularly the National Foundation, helped him build his dream of a research complex investigating biological phenomena 'from cell to society,' housed in a purpose-built facility designed by architect Louis Kahn.

The New York Times calls Salk the 'Father of Biophilosophy'

1966

In 1966, The New York Times referred to Salk as the "Father of Biophilosophy." According to journalist Howard Taubman, Salk hoped interchanges among scientists and thinkers might lead to a new and important school of thinkers he would designate as biophilosophers.

Publication of Laboratory Life based on Salk Institute research

1979

The Salk Institute served as the basis for Bruno Latour and Steve Woolgar's 1979 book Laboratory Life: The Construction of Scientific Facts, an influential work in science studies.

Reflection on fame in interview

1980

During a 1980 interview, 25 years after the vaccine's success was first made public, Salk reflected on his sudden fame, saying, "It's as if I've been a public property ever since, having to respond to external, as well as internal, impulses."

Optimism about disease prevention shared at Capitol Hill meeting

1984

In 1984, Salk told his cousin Joel Kassiday, at a meeting of the Congressional Clearinghouse on the Future on Capitol Hill, that he was optimistic that ways to prevent most human and animal diseases would eventually be developed.

Signs the Ashley Montagu Resolution

1995

In 1995, Jonas Salk became one of the original signatories of the Ashley Montagu Resolution, which asked the World Court, now the International Court of Justice, to help end genital modification of children including female genital mutilation, circumcision, and penile subincision.

Death of Francis Crick at the Salk Institute

2004

Francis Crick, co-discoverer of the structure of the DNA molecule, was a leading professor at the Salk Institute until his death in 2004, exemplifying the institute's stature as a premier research center.

Image source: Francis Crick

Death of Francis Crick at the Salk Institute

Discontinuation of the project twelve years after Salk's death

2007

A project associated with Salk's work was discontinued in 2007, twelve years after his death, marking the end of a long-running research effort connected to his legacy.

Key Facts

  1. Jonas Salk was born on October 28, 1914, in New York City to Russian-Jewish immigrant parents.
  2. In 1955, Salk's inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) was declared safe and effective following the largest clinical trial in history, involving over 1.8 million children.
  3. Salk chose not to patent the vaccine, saying it belonged to the people, forgoing an estimated $7 billion in profits.
  4. He founded the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California, in 1960, a leading center for scientific research.
  5. Before his death on June 23, 1995, Salk devoted his later career to research on HIV/AIDS and searching for a preventive HIV vaccine.

Source

This Jonas Salk timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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