On 6 March 1899, German chemist Felix Hoffmann, working at Bayer, secured a patent for acetylsalicylic acid, known today as aspirin—an invention that would revolutionise medicine.
Derived from willow bark’s ancient remedy, Hoffmann’s synthesis of a stable and tolerable form of the compound transformed pain relief, fever reduction, and anti-inflammatory treatment.
Aspirin soon became a household staple, earning its place as one of the most widely used and studied drugs in history, proving indispensable in both everyday ailments and cardiovascular health.