Chinese Journal of Nature ›› 2015, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (2): 151-156.

• Portraits • Previous Articles    

The father of Pill: Carl Djerassi

DAI Wu-san   

  1. Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong Province, China
  • Online:2015-04-25 Published:2015-04-23

Abstract: Carl Djerassi (1923—2015), renowned scientist, writer, best known for his contribution to the development of oral contraceptive pills. He was born in Vienna in October 29, 1923, arrived with his mother in the United States in December 1939, studied at several schools, and earned his Ph. D. at the University of Wisconsin in organic chemistry in 1945. In 1949 Djerassi became associate director of research at Syntex in Mexico City, his team later synthesized norethindrone that became part of one of the first successful combined oral contraceptive pills. In 1968, he created Zoecon company and studied on insect control method at industrial park of Stanford University. Djerassi won numerous awards during his career including: the National Medal of Science (1973) for his
work on the contraceptive pill; the National Medal of Technology (1991) for his initiatives in developing novel, practical approaches to insect control products that are biodegradable and harmless. In his later years, Djerassi devoted himself to literary creation,published five novels and three plays.