Historic Images

Director Wes Kenney briefing Dr. Thomas Francis, Dr. Jonas Salk, Mr. Basil O'Connor (head of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, later the March of Dimes) and Dr. Thomas M. Rivers on their parts in the live telecast on the development of the poliomyelitis vaccine.

The photograph was taken on April 12, 1955, during the live telecast informing the American public that the field trial to test the inactivated polio vaccine was successful. The telecast was filmed at Rackham Hall at the University of Michigan. Eli Lilly & Co. funded the hour and a half long broadcast, narrated by Bob Emerick. It was watched by an estimated 54,000 doctors in special screenings in movie theaters and heard by millions of people around the world on the radio.

Dr. Jonas Salk, developer of the poliomyelitis vaccine, received his MD from New York University College of Medicine in 1939.

Portrait of Eugene Braunwald, MD. Dr. Braunwald received his MD from the New York University School of Medicine in 1952. He later became Chief of the Cardiology Branch of the National Heart Institute. Dr. Braunwald made important contributions in the fields of cardiovascular hemodynamics and diagnostic techniques, clinical cardiology, and internal medicine.

Dr. Hart Edgar Van Riper, Dr. Jonas Salk, and Dr. Thomas M. Rivers presenting during the live telecast on the development of the poliomyelitis vaccine. Dr. Salk is answering Dr. Rivers’ questions about the Rh factor.

The photograph was taken on April 12, 1955, during the live telecast informing the American public that the field trial to test the inactivated polio vaccine was successful. The telecast was filmed at Rackham Hall at the University of Michigan. Eli Lilly & Co. funded the hour and a half long broadcast, narrated by Bob Emerick. It was watched by an estimated 54,000 doctors in special screenings in movie theaters and heard by millions of people around the world on the radio.

Dr. Jonas Salk, developer of the poliomyelitis vaccine, received his MD from New York University College of Medicine in 1939.

Photograph of Edgar H. Bates, MD (1905-1990). Dr. Bates received his MD from University and Bellevue Hospital Medical College in 1931. He taught at University and Bellevue Hospital Medical College as an Assistant in Surgery from 1934 to 1939. Dr. Bates then taught at New York University College of Medicine as Instructor in Surgery (1941 to 1954) and Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery (1954-1987).

Photograph of Edward M. Bernecker, MD, receiving an honorable citation from the Members of the Greater New York Hospital Association. Dr. Bernecker served as Commissioner of Hospitals of New York for seven years and later held the role of Administrator of Hospital Services with NYU-Bellevue Medical Center.

Dr. Jonas Salk, with his back to the camera, receiving instructions from Wes Kenney for the live telecast on the development of the poliomyelitis vaccine.

The photograph was taken on April 12, 1955, during the live telecast informing the American public that the field trial to test the inactivated polio vaccine was successful. The telecast was filmed at Rackham Hall at the University of Michigan. Eli Lilly & Co. funded the hour and a half long broadcast, narrated by Bob Emerick. It was watched by an estimated 54,000 doctors in special screenings in movie theaters and heard by millions of people around the world on the radio.

Dr. Jonas Salk, developer of the poliomyelitis vaccine, received his MD from New York University College of Medicine in 1939.

Wes Kenney giving instructions to the principals five minutes before going on air. Dr. Hart Edgar Van Riper, Medical Director of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, is seated at center.

The photograph was taken on April 12, 1955, during the live telecast informing the American public that the field trial to test the inactivated polio vaccine was successful. The telecast was filmed at Rackham Hall at the University of Michigan. Eli Lilly & Co. funded the hour and a half long broadcast, narrated by Bob Emerick. It was watched by an estimated 54,000 doctors in special screenings in movie theaters and heard by millions of people around the world on the radio.

Dr. Jonas Salk (not pictured), developer of the poliomyelitis vaccine, received his MD from New York University College of Medicine in 1939.

Portrait of Eugene Braunwald, MD, in a lab coat. Dr. Braunwald received his MD from the New York University School of Medicine in 1952. He later became Chief of the Cardiology Branch of the National Heart Institute. At the time of this portrait, he was serving as Hersey Professor and Chairman, Department of Medicine, Peter Bent Brigham Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Dr. Braunwald made important contributions in the fields of cardiovascular hemodynamics and diagnostic techniques, clinical cardiology, and internal medicine.

James Teel, Executive Vice President of Eli Lilly & Co., comments favorably on the telecast to Bob Emerick.

The photograph was taken on April 12, 1955, during the live telecast informing the American public that the field trial to test the inactivated polio vaccine was successful. The telecast was filmed at Rackham Hall at the University of Michigan. Eli Lilly & Co. funded the hour and a half long broadcast, narrated by Bob Emerick. It was watched by an estimated 54,000 doctors in special screenings in movie theaters and heard by millions of people around the world on the radio.

Dr. Jonas Salk (not pictured), developer of the poliomyelitis vaccine, received his MD from New York University College of Medicine in 1939.

Plug hat with leather travel case belonging to Valentine Mott, MD (1785-1865). Dr. Mott served as Professor of Principles, Practice & Operations of Surgery at University Medical College from 1841 to 1850.

Plug hat (high silk hat) measuring 16 cm high x 60 cm around. The brim is 5 cm wide and turned up and in at the sides. The leather band measures approximately 56 cm around and is 6 cm wide. On the inside top of the hat is printed "Extra Quality. By Special Appointment, Scott & Company Hatters to H. M. the King and Royal Family. 1 Old Bond Street. Piccadilly. W." The inside of the hat is lined with silk.

Leather case for the hat measuring approximately 77.5 cm around the outside at the bottom and 102.5 cm at the top. The case is round at the bottom and oblong at the top. The height in front and back, outside, is 33 cm and 28.5 cm at both sides. Connected on one side is a leather and cloth strap with a straight metal hook on the inside. On the other side is a very short leather strap with an oblong metal ring attached. The inside seems to be lined with cardboard. There are shipping and identification labels all around the outside. Some overlap, some completely worn off. Among these are "Baggage, P&O Son Co. London. Port...Passenger's name V. Mott” and "Cabin...P&O SS Egypt V. Mott Berth No. 88.” On one outer side, there is a round metal plate 5 cm in diameter, with a keyhole. Probably the straps had a metal hook that fit into a rectangular hole above. An oblong shaped holder, open in the center. This fits on the inside of the leather case at the top.

The cover of the case is made of leather, with padding and cloth lining the inside top. Also on the inside are two leather and cloth straps, one on each side. These straps currently have no hooks, but at one time might have. The cover has a leather handle across the top that is 1 cm thick and 4.5 cm wide. The handle is both stitched and bolted (with a single bolt on each side) to the cover. The cover also has a few shipping labels attached and stenciled. Across the top are the initials, 4 cm high, "V.M.".

In the stored document files [LA tried to locate in 2007 but not sure what this is referring to] was found a memorandum from Doctor McEwen to Miss Baine (former librarian of the School of Medicine Library) dated 3/16/1956. The memo is unsigned and refers to an attached note from Mr. Orwill V. W. Hawkins, telling how Doctor Mott’s hat came into the possession of the school. A typed (unsigned) copy of the letter is attached. This explains that Mr. Hawkins has a son named Harman, who is married to Janet Gay. "Janet's mother was Helen Remsen, who was the daughter of John F. Remsen, and Mr. Gay held it as a curiosity piece."

Estate of John F. Remsen.