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 ...