A Brief History of Inhalers
From inhaling the fumes of herbs to the modern inhaler as we know it today, these devices have come a
long way.
Ancient Times
Before any kind of inhaler was invented, society turned to smoking things (such as opium), and inhaling the fumes of burned herbs. Additionally, others would drink different kinds of animal blood, believing it would heal them.
1778: Mudge Inhaler
In the late 18th century, John Mudge, a physician and astronomer, created the first inhaler. It allowed people to breathe opium vapor to treat a “cough with a lot of mucus.” To use, people would pour water into the device, close the lid, and proceed to breathe the steam through a tube in the cover.
The Metered Dose Inhaler
The real breakthrough came about in 1956, when George L. Maison invented the Metered Dose Inhaler using vials and valves designed for perfume bottles. His daughter, who suffered from asthma, inspired him to create it. She asked him why she couldn’t take her medication in a spray can, like a perfume bottle. From there Maison developed his idea for the MDI.
The Modern Inhaler(s)
Today, there are a variety of different types of inhalers. MDIs, as previously discussed, are pressurized and give a measured dose of medicine to the user in a single spray. Dry powder inhalers deliver the medicine as a fine powder. Soft mist inhalers have no propellants and can be slowly administered. Lastly, nebulizers turn medicine into a mist by compressing air in the contraption to force it through an exit, resulting in a fine mist.
