DISCOVERER OF RADIOACTIVE IODINE

Dr. Saul Hertz

Dr. Saul Hertz (1905 - 1950) discovered the medical uses of artificially produced radionuclides. His breakthrough work with radioactive iodine (RAI) created a paradigm change integrating physical sciences to contemporary understanding and treatment of thyroid diseases.

Man of unquestionable loyalty, high integrity, and in addition, a thoroughly well trained internist and a brilliant clinical investigator.
— J. H. Means, MD (1943)

Welcome to the digital museum

Through this digital museum, we honour Dr. Saul Hertz and his landmark discovery of radioactive iodine—a breakthrough that transformed countless lives then and now. As you explore, you’ll see the man behind the science, the pioneering work he led, the social context of science in the 1930s and post-war United States, and the lasting legacy he left.