Colin Murdoch
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Colin Albert Murdoch (6 février 1929, Christchurch – 4 mai 2008) est un pharmacien et vétérinaire néo-zélandais, auteur d'un nombre conséquent d'inventions tels que le fusil hypodermique ou encore la seringue hypodermique jetable. Il y a au total 46 brevets enregistrés à son nom.[1]
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[modifier] Jeunesse
Né à Christchurch, en Nouvelle-Zélande, en 1929, de Mary Kathleen et Frank William James, Murdoch displayed a talent for chemistry at a very early age. Although he struggled through his schooling years with dyslexia, Murdoch already displayed an interest in both mechanical and technical skills. At the age of ten he successfully made gun powder and came to the realization that an ignition could be caused by the mixing of certain nitrates and sulphuric acid. This discovery lead the young Murdoch to build a successful firearm using a wick and a small asbestos filled hammer.[2]
At the age of 13 he was awarded the Royal Humane Society Medal for saving a drowning man in the New Brighton estuary.[2]
Murdoch later came to outgrow his dyslexia and went on to study at The College of Pharmacy in Wellington. Following this he completed a five year apprenticeship and, like his father, became a pharmacist. He later studied to become a veterinarian as he had an interest in not only human welfare, but also the welfare of animals.
[modifier] La seringue hypodermique jetable
Being both a pharmacist and a veterinarian, Murdoch was very aware of the risks involved when reusing syringes. There was a high risk of passing infection from one patient to the next (in both humans and animals) unless these glass syringes were sterilized accurately. Wanting to eliminate these risks, and needing a more effective vaccination for his animal patients, Murdoch designed and invented the disposable hypodermic syringe — a plastic version of its glass predecessor. Murdoch originally presented the design to the officials of The New Zealand Department of Health who were skeptical, and believed it to be “too futuristic”, and that it would not be received well by both doctors and patients. The development of the syringe was held off for a further few years due to the lack of funding. Eventually when he was granted both the patents, Murdoch’s syringe went on to be hugely successful with millions being used throughout the world every day. It is not widely known as a New Zealand design although Murdoch's achievements have been recently covered in the New Zealand media.
[modifier] Le fusil hypodermique
In the 1950s, while working with colleagues who were studying introduced wild goat, deer and tahr populations in New Zealand, Murdoch had the idea that the animals would be much easier to catch, examine and release if a dose of tranquilliser could be administered by projection from afar. Murdoch became experienced with repairing and modifying guns during the Second World War as rifles and shot guns were not being imported into New Zealand at that time. With both motive and experience, Murdoch went on to develop a range of rifles, darts and pistols which have had an enormous impact on the treatment and study of animals around the world.
At the time Murdoch started testing his gun the only tranquilliser drugs available were curare and alkaloids of nicotine. Both of which tended to have fatal reactions in a high percentage of animals shot. In partnership with pharmaceutical companies, he helped develop more sophisticated drugs with precise and safe reactions.
Paxarms Limited (which stands for peace and arms) is Murdoch’s own company which has developed various systems for administering veterinary products to a range of animals.[3]
[modifier] Reconnaissance
Colin Muzdoch has been acknowledged for his life's work. In 1976 he won three gold medals and a bronze at the World Inventions Fair in Brussels. The New Zealand Design Council has also honoured him and in 2000 he was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Time Magazine included him in a list of the 100 most influential people of the South Pacific [1]
Despite the relative ubiquity of his inventions, Murdoch did not become rich because of them. He deliberately chose not to sue companies that violated his patents, satisfied instead that they were being put to good use.
In his final years he lived quietly in Timaru until his death from cancer.
[modifier] Références
- Bridges, J. Downs, D. No. 8 Wire: The Best of Kiwi Ingenuity. Auckland: Hodder Moa Beckett,2003.
- Riley, B. Kiwi ingenuity: A book of New Zealand ideas and inventions. Auckland: AIT Press, 1995.
- Moldofsky, L. Time Magazine, 03 Nov. 1999. Innovators.
- Sweeny, B. 1998-2007. Colin Murdoch: Dreamer for Millions.
- Swanepoel, D. (n.d.) The History of Syringes.
