Photos of Personal Artifacts
Some personal belongings of the people of Buildings 29/29A.
Dr. Kirschstein’s Copy of The Anatomy of the Nervous System
Dr. Ruth Kirschstein attended medical school at Tulane University. This was one of her text books from her days in Louisiana. The Anatomy of the Nervous System: Its Development and Function (1947) was written by Stephen Walter Ranson.
Dr. Pittman’s Circa- 1925 Mechanical Pencil
Dr. Margaret Pittman owned this very early mechanical pencil, likely acquired during her graduate studies at the University of Chicago.
Soapstone sinks were used in several laboratory buildings at the NIH in the first half of the twentieth century, including Building 29A. Soapstone is chemically inert and highly dense, making it a good choice for the laboratory. This sink was located in Building 29A, First Floor.
Dr. Finlayson’s DEAE Cellulose Column
Dr. John Finlayson’s Diethylaminoethyl cellulose column inside the cold room in Building 8 before being moved to Building 29, 1st floor. Diethylaminoethyl cellulose is a positively charged resin that was used in ion-exchange chromatography.
Dr. Ruth Kirschstein was a champion of minorities in the sciences throughout her career. She received this award in 1988 at a ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia.
North American Vaccine, Inc. Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine
North American Vaccine, Inc. Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine from 1990s. Research by Dr. Pittman and staff at DBS led to advances in the pertussis vaccine.