Helen Murray Free

Helen Murray Free

Chemist and Diagnostic Testing Inventor

Born: February 20, 1923 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Helen Murray Free and her husband, Alfred Free, developed the first dip-and-read test strips for use in diagnostic testing. Their work revolutionized the field of urinalysis and led to many self-testing systems for people with diabetes. Free held numerous patents and was a champion of science education and outreach. The American Chemical Society created the Helen M. Free Public Outreach Award to honor her.