George Rieveschl
American chemist and professor (1916–2007)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
George Rieveschl (January 9, 1916[1] – September 27, 2007) was an American chemist and professor. He was the inventor of the popular antihistamine diphenhydramine (Benadryl), which he first made while searching for potential muscle relaxant drugs.[1]
George Rieveschl | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 9, 1916 Lockland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | September 27, 2007 (aged 91) Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Cincinnati |
| Occupation | Chemical Engineer |
| Known for | Inventing the popular antihistamine diphenhydramine |
| Spouse | Ellen |
| Children | 2 |
Early life and education
Born in Arlington Heights, Ohio, Rieveschl was the son of George and Alma Hoffling Rieveschl.[1] He initially attended the Ohio Mechanics Institute, graduating in 1933, before earning bachelors, masters, and PhD degrees in chemistry[2] at the University of Cincinnati (UC).[1]
Career
After receiving his PhD in 1940, Rieveschl returned to the University of Cincinnati where he served as a professor of chemical engineering, and later a professor of materials science. At the university, he led a research program searching for potential muscle relaxant drugs.[1] In 1943, one of his students, Fred Huber, synthesized diphenhydramine. Rieveschl worked with Parke-Davis to test the compound, and the company licensed the patent from him. In 1947 Parke-Davis hired him as their director of research. While he was there, he led the development of a similar drug, orphenadrine.[3]
Rieveschl remained active in the Cincinnati-area science and arts community until his death at age 91 from pneumonia. He had contributed an estimated $10 million to his alma mater, according to a UC spokeswoman.[1]
The main life sciences building on the campus of the University of Cincinnati is named for Rieveschl.[2]
