Inductee Helen Free: A Pioneer in Diagnostic Chemistry

Solutions for detecting and managing illness are essential to helping people live longer, healthier lives. Describing her experience in developing such solutions, National Inventors Hall of Fame^® Inductee Helen Free said, “Our work with developing tests for diseases such as diabetes and our emphasis in promoting health and wellness has been challenging, exciting and rewarding.”

Read on to learn how Helen Free and her husband and fellow Inductee Alfred Free advanced glucose detection for diabetes.

Finding a Future in Chemistry

Born in Pittsburgh in 1923, Free moved with her family to Ohio when she was just 3. Growing up, she was an exceptional student with college aspirations. In 1941, she enrolled at the College of Wooster as an English and Latin major, aiming for a career in education. Her plans soon changed after the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

While many men were drafted into the military, the College of Wooster encouraged women to study science, and Free answered the call. She chose to change her major to chemistry, later saying, “I think that was the most terrific thing that ever happened because I certainly wouldn’t have done the things I’ve done in my lifetime.”

Free earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1944 and would later add one more degree –her master’s degree in clinical laboratory management from Central Michigan University – in 1978.

Soon after graduating with her bachelor’s degree, Free took on a position at Miles Laboratories in Elkhart, Indiana. She started out as a chemist in quality control, testing the quality of vitamin ingredients, and she later moved to the biochemistry division, which was led by Alfred Free. The two chemists married in 1947 and became lifelong research partners who would significantly advance medical diagnostics with procedures that still are used in laboratories worldwide.

Building a Revolutionary Legacy

Early in their collaborative work, the Frees focused on improving Clinitest^®, a tablet for testing glucose levels in urine. Not only was this the first diagnostic test that could be done in a doctor’s office or a hospital without complex laboratory facilities, but it was even simple enough for patients to use at home.

Following Clinitest, the Frees developed Acetest® for diabetic patients and Icotest^®, which identified Hepatitis A. Icotest laid the groundwork for an even more convenient diagnostic test – Clinistix^®. A dip-and-read urine test, it used a strip of paper containing reagents that produced color changes, indicating the detection of glucose in a urine sample. Introduced in 1956 and still in use today, Clinistix gave millions of people a simple, convenient way to monitor their diabetes.

After the success of Clinistix, the Frees created more urine tests designed to accurately monitor pH levels, nitrates, ketones and bilirubin. In 1981 they introduced Multistix^®, a single urine test that performed 10 different clinical tests with just one strip. This allowed quick, easy analysis of a range of health issues, from monitoring liver function and carbohydrate status to detecting urinary tract infection and kidney disorders.

Helen Free retired in 1982 but continued to work as a consultant at Miles for many years. She also served as the president of both the American Association for Clinical Chemistry and the American Chemical Society (ACS). She received many honors in recognition of her pioneering, lifesaving research and advancements in medical and clinical diagnostics. These included the ACS Garvan Medal in 1980 and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in 2009. Honoring her commitment to promoting science education, ACS created the Helen M. Free Award for Public Outreach in 1995.

The Frees were inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2000. To encourage and empower the next generation of creators and innovators, the Al and Helen Free Foundation contributes to the National Inventors Hall of Fame Children’s Education Fund, ensuring opportunities for children in need of financial support to attend the Hall of Fame’s nationwide, hands-on invention education programs, including Camp Invention^®.

Meet More Groundbreaking Inventors

To discover more stories of inspiring National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees, keep exploring our website.