Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised May 31, 2026

Benjamin Rubin

Benjamin Rubin was an American microbiologist, known as the inventor of the bifurcated vaccination needle, which played an important role in the eradication of smallpox. Rubin invented this device by taking the eyelet of a sewing machine needle and grinding it down.

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May 31, 2026
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Benjamin Rubin (September 27, 1917 in New York, New York – March 8, 20101) was an American microbiologist, known as the inventor of the bifurcated vaccination needle,2 which played an important role in the eradication of smallpox. Rubin invented this device by taking the eyelet of a sewing machine needle and grinding it down.

In 1992, Rubin was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.1

References

References

  1. "Benjamin A. Rubin". National Inventors Hall of Fame. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  2. Jonathan B. Tucker (August 2002). Scourge: The Once and Future Threat of Smallpox. Grove Press. pp. 72–. ISBN 978-0-8021-3939-9.