On TWiV #446 we geeked out about the old days when we washed glass pipets. Turns out that Kathy still washes hers...so she made a movie for us of the process.
I remember when Doyle Mullinax in the 1960's and 70's, first invented the auto-siphoning pipette washer and rinser. At the time he worked for Microbiological Associates, then located in Bethesda, MD. He gave the idea to Nalgene Laboratory Equipment for free on the condition that they would always give his company that piece of equipment for free. He was not a fool for giving them the idea; he was a purist. He was totally committed to the advancement of the biological sciences - not making a lot of money. Funny how the genius who invents, is seldom credited with the idea. Doyle also had over a dozen other inventions that critically changed the world of biological research, including how to sterilize fetal bovine serum, without destroying its nutritional elements so we could actually do advanced research on viruses, instead of having to grow them in chicken eggs. That idea he gave to the Millipore Filter company on the same condition. Another was how to actually freeze cells to preserve them for future studies. He showed the major autoclave manufacturers how to accurately identify and locate cold spots in their autoclaves, so as to eliminate unsterilized items in a supposedly sterilized batch. Also the vacuum operated pistol grip pipettor, so we didn't have to use those old red rubber bulbs. True genius is rare, but when it presents itself, we usually all benefit; even when we don't know it. Thanks to Doyle for helping us all to do more, better & faster!
