After the connection between insulin and diabetes was announced in 1921, several pharmaceutical firms hastened to bring insulin and related materials to market. One such was the Eli Lilly & Co. of Indianapolis, which adopted the term Iletin for its insulin. This turned wood canister holds a glass ampule made to contain Lilly U-10 Iletin brand insulin. The label refers to patents of Oct. 9, 1923 and Dec. 23, 1924.
Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.
If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.