Following is a partial list of major contributions made by faculty, staff, and students at Case:Discovered that the earth’s motion had no effect on the movement of light, disproving the belief that the earth floated
in a sea of ether. This discovery marks the beginning of modern physics and is linked with Einstein’s later work on
relativity (Profs. Albert A. Michelson and Edward W. Morley, 1887).Discovered the atomic weight of oxygen, the basis for calculating the weights of all other elements (Prof. Morley, 1895).Performed the first full X-ray of the human body -- on himself (Prof. Dayton C. Miller, 1896).Performed the first modern blood transfusion using a coupling device to connect blood vessels (Dr. George W. Crile, 1905).Pioneered chlorination of drinking water to eradicate the source of typhoid bacilli (Dr. Roger G. Perkins, 1912).Developed simulated milk formula for infants (Dr. Henry J. Gerstenberger,1915).Pioneered surgical treatment of coronary artery disease (Dr. Claude S. Beck, 1935).Developed the first heart-lung machine to be used during open heart surgery (Dr. Frederick S. Cross, 1950s).Performed the first successful lifesaving defibrillation of the human heart (Dr. Beck, 1947) and developed the method of
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) (Dr. Beck, 1952).Developed a test for infants to identify mental retardation within a year after birth (Prof. Joseph F. Fagan, 1987).Created the first artificial human chromosomes, opening the door to more detailed study of human genetics and potentially
offering a new approach to gene therapy. (Prof. Huntington F. Willard of the School of Medicine and University Hospitals of
Cleveland, in collaboration with colleagues at Athersys, Inc., 1997).