A heart-lung machine is perfected. A method for long-term preservation of blood using glycerin is developed. Psychologists suggest that a sleeping person may learn from a tape recording played within earshot.

11 Apr.

The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare is created.

5-9 Oct.

A human aorta is repaired using animal tissue.

4 Nov.

A two-million-volt anticancer X-ray machine is developed.

11 Nov.

The polio virus is photographed.

8 Dec.

Skin cancer is produced in mice by painting their skins with cigarette tar.