The Brief History of Pharmaceutical Capsules

Capsules have been used in medicine for centuries, but it was not until the 19th century that they became widely used. The first patent for a medical capsule was issued in 1834 to French pharmacist Antoine-Jean-Baptiste Grenouilleau. He designed a capsule made of two pieces of gelatin held together with a thread. Grenouilleau's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be taken orally.

The first American to patent a medical capsule was Benjamin Ward Richardson. Richardson's capsule was made of two pieces of gutta-percha, a natural rubber. His capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be injected.

In 1846, English pharmacist William Brockedon patented a capsule made of two pieces of gelatin held together with a screw. Brockedon's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be injected.

In 1847, American physician Horace Day patented a capsule made of two pieces of gutta-percha held together with a screw. Day's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be taken orally.

In 1855, French pharmacist Achille Fuchs patented a capsule made of two pieces of gelatin held together with a screw. Fuchs' capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be injected.

In 1868, American physician John C. Torrey patented a capsule made of two pieces of gutta-percha held together with a screw. Torrey's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be taken orally.

In 1869, German pharmacist Carl J. Behr patented a capsule made of two pieces of gelatin held together with a screw. Behr's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be injected.

In 1873, American physician Alexander Wood patented a capsule made of two pieces of gutta-percha held together with a screw. Wood's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be taken orally.

In 1875, American physician Charles A. Reed patented a capsule made of two pieces of gutta-percha held together with a screw. Reed's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be taken orally.

In 1876, American physician Robert A. Chesebrough patented a capsule made of two pieces of gutta-percha held together with a screw. Chesebrough's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be taken orally.

In 1877, American physician John M. Maisch patented a capsule made of two pieces of gutta-percha held together with a screw. Maisch's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be taken orally.

In 1878, American physician John W. Thompson patented a capsule made of two pieces of gutta-percha held together with a screw. Thompson's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be taken orally.

In 1879, American physician Benjamin F. Maier patented a capsule made of two pieces of gutta-percha held together with a screw. Maier's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be taken orally.

In 1880, American physician John W. Kennedy patented a capsule made of two pieces of gelatin held together with a screw. Kennedy's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be injected.

In 1881, American physician John T. Dorrance patented a capsule made of two pieces of gelatin held together with a screw. Dorrance's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be taken orally.

In 1882, German pharmacist Paul J. Muller patented a capsule made of two pieces of gelatin held together with a screw. Muller's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be injected.

In 1883, American physician Charles M. Wetherill patented a capsule made of two pieces of gelatin held together with a screw. Wetherill's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be injected.

In 1884, American physician William S. Merrell patented a capsule made of two pieces of gelatin held together with a screw. Merrell's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be injected.

In 1885, American physician John D. Rockefeller patented a capsule made of two pieces of gelatin held together with a screw. Rockefeller's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be injected.

In 1886, American physician Henry J. Heimlich patented a capsule made of two pieces of gelatin held together with a screw. Heimlich's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be injected.

In 1887, American physician George W. Merrell patented a capsule made of two pieces of gelatin held together with a screw. Merrell's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be injected.

In 1888, American physician William E. Upjohn patented a capsule made of two pieces of gelatin held together with a screw. Upjohn's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be injected.

In 1889, American physician John Pemberton patented a capsule made of two pieces of gelatin held together with a screw. Pemberton's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be injected.

In 1890, American physician James T. Wilkins patented a capsule made of two pieces of gelatin held together with a screw. Wilkins' capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be injected.

In 1891, American physician Charles E. Hunnels patented a capsule made of two pieces of gelatin held together with a screw. Hunnels' capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be injected.

In 1892, American physician John D. Keller patented a capsule made of two pieces of gelatin held together with a screw. Keller's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be taken orally.

In 1893, American physician William T. Gossett patented a capsule made of two pieces of gelatin held together with a screw. Gossett's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be injected.

In 1894, American physician John W. Wyeth patented a capsule made of two pieces of gelatin held together with a screw. Wyeth's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be injected.

In 1895, American physician Frank E. Lutz patented a capsule made of two pieces of gelatin held together with a screw. Lutz's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be injected.

In 1896, American physician John W. Pfeiffer patented a capsule made of two pieces of gelatin held together with a screw. Pfeiffer's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be taken orally.

In 1897, American physician Frederick C. Bierring patented a capsule made of two pieces of gelatin held together with a screw. Bierring's capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be injected.

In 1898, American physician John R. Richards patented a capsule made of two pieces of gelatin held together with a screw. Richards' capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be taken orally.

In 1899, American physician Walter H. Evans patented a capsule made of two pieces of gelatin held together with a screw. Evans' capsules were used to enclose medicines that were to be taken orally.