Disposable hypodermic syringe in container
Object No. 95/131/2
By 1949 penicillin injections were being used to treat most bacterial infections, but penicillin tended to clog up glass syringes and make them hard to clean. To solve the problem, Austrian immigrant, Charles Rothauser created the world's first plastic, disposable hypodermic syringe at his Adelaide factory. He made the first syringes in polyethylene. However, because polyethylene softens with heat, the syringes had to be chemically sterilised prior to packaging, which made them expensive. In 1951 Rothauser produced the first injection- moulded syringes made of polypropylene, a plastic that can be heat-sterilised. Millions were made for Australian and export markets. A pioneer of injection-moulded plastics, Rothauser's other achievements included founding the Caroma bathroom accessories company, and in 1945 converting a war-surplus explosives press to mould 12-litre polyethylene acid jars, at the time the world's largest plastic bottles.
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Summary
Object Statement
Disposable syringe, plastic / rubber, designed by D Harry Willis, made by M Charles Rothauser, Industrial Products Limited, Australia, 1951
Physical Description
Hypodermic syringe, disposable, clear polypropylene, d.Harry Willis, m.Charles Rothauser Industrial Products Limited, Australia, 1951. Clear plastic syringe with white plastic plunger without needle
PRODUCTION
Notes
Designed by Mr Willis as a disposable syringe, as an improvement on his polyethelene version. The polyethylene syringe could only be chemically sterilized (expensive) before packing. The polypropylene syringe could be heat sterilized. Mr Rothauser manufactured these syringes for a company called Bickfords. He later established the bathroom fittings manufacturer called Caroma.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Charles Rothauser AO
Acquisition Date
12 May 1995
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