Helen Murray Free
Encyclopedia
Helen Murray Free is a retired American chemist and educator. She received a B.A. in chemistry from The College of Wooster
in 1944 and an M.A. in management from Central Michigan University
in 1978. In 1974 she married Alfred Free, a fellow researcher in urinalysis. She is most known for her creation of many self-testing systems for diabetes while working at Miles Laboratories
, which is now owned by Bayer
AG. She currently is an Adjunct Professor of Management at Indiana University South Bend
, and a Consultant for Bayer AG.
, and graduated in 1941 as the valedictorian
of Poland Seminary High School
. While attending a summer camp at the College of Wooster, Helen set her heart on attending Wooster. Greatly influenced by her high school English teacher, she originally intended to major in English and Latin in hopes of becoming a teacher; however, these plans soon changed. In December 1941 when Pearl Harbor was bombed
, many young men either enlisted or were drafted into the army. Because of this, women were encouraged to pursue careers in science, so Helen switched her major to chemistry in which she received her B.S. in 1944. She has said that her switch to chemistry was the “most terrific thing” that ever happened to her.
(known as the creators of Alka-Seltzer
); however, she aspired to be a researcher as opposed to working in quality control. When Alfred Free had a position open in his biochemistry research group, she interviewed and filled the position. She would later marry Free in 1947 and have six children with him.
Originally they researched different antibiotics before they moved on to dry reagent systems.
Later, Free worked with her husband to move the tests from tablets to strips, introducing Clinistix
(the famous “dip-and-read” test) in 1956. Several other testing strips were developed and added to the market, including Uristix, Ketostix, Dextrostox, Labstix, and a still-current product, Multistix. These products are still used today.
In 1969, Free moved into the Growth and Development Department, and she eventually became the director of Specialty Test Systems in 1976. She was Director of Marketing Services for the Research Products Division when Bayer Diagnostics acquired Miles in 1978.
She also earned an MA in Management (Health Care Administration) from Central Michigan University
(1978), and is an Adjunct Professor of Management at Indiana University South Bend
.
By 1975, Free had earned seven patents for her improvements in medical and clinical urinalysis testing. In that year, she and her husband co-authored their second book, Urinalysis in Laboratory Practice, which is still a standard work in the field.
She retired in 1982, but continues to work as a consultant for Bayer Diagnostics in Elkhart, Indiana
.
She served as president of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry
in 1990 and in 2006 received its prestigious award for Outstanding Contributions to Clinical Chemistry.
In 1993 she was elected president of the American Chemical Society
. As president, Free considered her top priority to be to raise public awareness of the positive role chemistry has played in our lives. The ACS named an award in her honor, the Helen M. Free Award in Public Outreach.
In 2000 she was inducted into the National Inventor's Hall of Fame.
In 2010 she was awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.
The College of Wooster
The College of Wooster is a private liberal arts college primarily known for its Independent study program. It has roughly 2,000 students and is located in Wooster, Wayne County, Ohio, United States . Founded in 1866 by the Presbyterian church as the University of Wooster, it was from its creation...
in 1944 and an M.A. in management from Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University is a public research university located in Mount Pleasant in the U.S. state of Michigan...
in 1978. In 1974 she married Alfred Free, a fellow researcher in urinalysis. She is most known for her creation of many self-testing systems for diabetes while working at Miles Laboratories
Miles Laboratories
Miles Laboratories was founded as the Dr. Miles Medical Company in Elkhart, Indiana, in 1884 by Franklin Miles, a specialist in the treatment of eye and ear disorders, with an interest in the connection of the nervous system to overall health...
, which is now owned by Bayer
Bayer
Bayer AG is a chemical and pharmaceutical company founded in Barmen , Germany in 1863. It is headquartered in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany and well known for its original brand of aspirin.-History:...
AG. She currently is an Adjunct Professor of Management at Indiana University South Bend
Indiana University South Bend
Indiana University South Bend is the third largest campus of the Indiana University system. It is popularly known as IUSB or IU South Bend. It is located in South Bend, Indiana, in St. Joseph County, Indiana.-History:...
, and a Consultant for Bayer AG.
Early life
Helen Murray was born on February 20, 1923 the daughter of James S. Murray, a coal company salesman, and Daisy Piper Murray, who died during an influenza epidemic when Helen was six.Education
Helen received her early education from the public schools in Youngstown, OhioYoungstown, Ohio
Youngstown is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Mahoning County; it also extends into Trumbull County. The municipality is situated on the Mahoning River, approximately southeast of Cleveland and northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
, and graduated in 1941 as the valedictorian
Valedictorian
Valedictorian is an academic title conferred upon the student who delivers the closing or farewell statement at a graduation ceremony. Usually, the valedictorian is the highest ranked student among those graduating from an educational institution...
of Poland Seminary High School
Poland Seminary High School
Poland Seminary High School is a public high school in Poland, Ohio. It is the only high school in The Poland Schools district. Although the current building was built in 1972, Poland Seminary High School owes its name to an earlier institution, Poland Seminary, which was one of the first private...
. While attending a summer camp at the College of Wooster, Helen set her heart on attending Wooster. Greatly influenced by her high school English teacher, she originally intended to major in English and Latin in hopes of becoming a teacher; however, these plans soon changed. In December 1941 when Pearl Harbor was bombed
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
, many young men either enlisted or were drafted into the army. Because of this, women were encouraged to pursue careers in science, so Helen switched her major to chemistry in which she received her B.S. in 1944. She has said that her switch to chemistry was the “most terrific thing” that ever happened to her.
Career
After graduating from Wooster, Helen immediately began working as a quality control chemist for Miles LaboratoriesMiles Laboratories
Miles Laboratories was founded as the Dr. Miles Medical Company in Elkhart, Indiana, in 1884 by Franklin Miles, a specialist in the treatment of eye and ear disorders, with an interest in the connection of the nervous system to overall health...
(known as the creators of Alka-Seltzer
Alka-Seltzer
Alka-Seltzer is an effervescent antacid and pain reliever first marketed by the Dr. Miles Medicine Company. It was developed by Treneer in Elkhart Indiana. Alka-Seltzer is marketed for relief of minor aches, pains, inflammation, fever, headache, heartburn, sour stomach, indigestion, and hangovers,...
); however, she aspired to be a researcher as opposed to working in quality control. When Alfred Free had a position open in his biochemistry research group, she interviewed and filled the position. She would later marry Free in 1947 and have six children with him.
Originally they researched different antibiotics before they moved on to dry reagent systems.
Later, Free worked with her husband to move the tests from tablets to strips, introducing Clinistix
Clinistrip
A clinistrip is a urine test strip to measure levels of glucose in urine for diabetics. The small plastic strip has glucose oxidase and an organic dye on one end. The enzyme oxidizes glucose to gluconic acid with the formation of hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide reacts with dye to produce a...
(the famous “dip-and-read” test) in 1956. Several other testing strips were developed and added to the market, including Uristix, Ketostix, Dextrostox, Labstix, and a still-current product, Multistix. These products are still used today.
In 1969, Free moved into the Growth and Development Department, and she eventually became the director of Specialty Test Systems in 1976. She was Director of Marketing Services for the Research Products Division when Bayer Diagnostics acquired Miles in 1978.
She also earned an MA in Management (Health Care Administration) from Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University is a public research university located in Mount Pleasant in the U.S. state of Michigan...
(1978), and is an Adjunct Professor of Management at Indiana University South Bend
Indiana University South Bend
Indiana University South Bend is the third largest campus of the Indiana University system. It is popularly known as IUSB or IU South Bend. It is located in South Bend, Indiana, in St. Joseph County, Indiana.-History:...
.
By 1975, Free had earned seven patents for her improvements in medical and clinical urinalysis testing. In that year, she and her husband co-authored their second book, Urinalysis in Laboratory Practice, which is still a standard work in the field.
She retired in 1982, but continues to work as a consultant for Bayer Diagnostics in Elkhart, Indiana
Elkhart, Indiana
Elkhart is a city in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. The city is located east of South Bend, northwest of Fort Wayne, east of Chicago, and north of Indianapolis...
.
Later years
After her retirement, she became an active promoter of science education. She has devoted special attention to educating both female and underprivileged students, through programs such as "Kids & Chemistry" and "Expanding Your Horizons."She served as president of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry
American Association for Clinical Chemistry
The American Association for Clinical Chemistry is an international society, founded in 1948, of clinical laboratory professionals, physicians, research scientists and others who are involved in clinical chemistry and clinical laboratory science. Current President is Barbara M. Goldsmith, PhD, and...
in 1990 and in 2006 received its prestigious award for Outstanding Contributions to Clinical Chemistry.
In 1993 she was elected president of the American Chemical Society
American Chemical Society
The American Chemical Society is a scientific society based in the United States that supports scientific inquiry in the field of chemistry. Founded in 1876 at New York University, the ACS currently has more than 161,000 members at all degree-levels and in all fields of chemistry, chemical...
. As president, Free considered her top priority to be to raise public awareness of the positive role chemistry has played in our lives. The ACS named an award in her honor, the Helen M. Free Award in Public Outreach.
In 2000 she was inducted into the National Inventor's Hall of Fame.
In 2010 she was awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.
Patents
- Free et al., U.S. Patent 3,087,794, " CHEMICAL TEST FOR DIFFERENTIATING LEUCOCYTES FROM ERYTHROCYTES"
- Free, U.S. Patent 2,912,309, “INDICATOR FOR DETECTING GLUCOSE”