Early Life and Education

Ernest H. Volwiler was born on August 22nd, 1893, in Hamilton, Ohio. His parents, German immigrants named Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Volwiler, raised him on a farm near the crossroads of Layhigh and Robinson roads in Ohio’s Morgan Township. Young Ernest’s early education took place in a one-room schoolhouse alongside his brother, Albert Tangeman Volwiler. After graduating from Morgan Twp. High School in Okeana in 1909, Ernest spent a year teaching in a rural school to save money for college.

Volwiler had a very curious mind from childhood, which gradually led him toward the fascinating world of Chemistry. In 1914, Ernest enrolled at Miami University in Ohio, where he honed his skills in the field. There he continued his knowledge quest at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. There he earned his Master’s degree in 1916, followed by a Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1918. These educational milestones helped in his future contributions, which changed the lives of millions.

Career at Abbott Laboratories

His life took a positive turn in the year 1918. Ernest joined Abbott Laboratories, a pharmaceutical company on the rise in 1918. He started his career as a chemist and slowly climbed the ladder of success. He became Chief Chemist in 1920 and Director of Research by 1930. His leadership qualities, coupled with his exceptional scientific mind, made him an integral part of the company.

Personal Life

In 1920, Volwiler married Lillian F. Huggler. The couple had two children and remained devoted to each other until Volwiler’s passing.

Breakthrough in Anesthesia

Ernest H. Volwiler was very passionate about discovering new chemicals and using them to improve people’s lives. This passion led him to his most significant contribution – the development of groundbreaking anesthetics. In the early 20th century, surgery was often a barbaric affair. Patients had to undergo excruciating pain as there was no proper way of anesthetizing them. Ernest, with the support of his colleague Donalee Tabern, aimed to change that.

After many years of research and experimentation, they achieved a breakthrough in 1936. They discovered Pentothal, a revolutionary anesthetic that could be injected directly into the bloodstream. That chemical induced a safe and pleasant state of unconsciousness for surgical procedures. This invention is marked as a turning point in medical history.

Ernest H. Volwiler continued his contributions even after the discovery of Pentothal. He and his team were also part of developing another life-saving anesthetic – Nembutal. Because of his contributions, Ernest was considered a pioneer in the field of anesthetic pharmacology.

Leadership at Abbott Laboratories

He also had great leadership skills, which helped Abbott Laboratories reach new heights. During World War II, he commercialized vital drugs like penicillin and sulfa drugs and ensured these life-saving medications reached as many people as possible. Abbott Laboratories experienced significant financial growth under his guidance and was positioned as a leader in the pharmaceutical industry.

Volwiler played a key role in shaping the policies and practices of Abbott Laboratories. He served as the company’s president from 1948 to 1958. In 1958, Ernest stepped down as CEO but remained Chairman of the Board till 1961.

Legacy and Death

Ernest H. Volwiler passed away on December 25, 1992, in Lake Forest, Illinois, United States, at the age of 99. Volwiler’s achievements in the pharmaceutical industry earned him widespread recognition, and he received numerous awards and honors, including the prestigious Priestley Medal in 1956.