Volwiler, Ernest H.

Volwiler, Ernest H.

(1893– ) chemist, inventor; born in Hamilton, Ohio. Educated in Ohio and Illinois, he joined Abbott Laboratories in 1918 and rose to become director of research by 1930. With Donalee Tabern, he discovered Pentothal in 1936, a drug widely used for minor procedures requiring anesthesia. He became president of Abbott in 1950 and chairman of the board in 1958.