Over 40 Vaccines Were Developed By This Little-Known Montanan Nearly A Century Ago

We all know that Montanans have invented some amazing things, like the heart monitor. But if you've never heard of Montanan Maurice Hilleman, you're not alone. While this should be a household name, unfortunately, it isn't. This amazing man is credited with helping millions of people by developing some of America's most successful vaccines, and his life story is a true inspiration.

Maurice Hilleman was born in Miles City in 1919.

Sadly, he was born into tragedy. His twin sister died at birth, and his mother followed just two days later.

Hilleman was the youngest of eight siblings. They grew up on a farm just outside of Miles City with their aunt and uncle.

Hilleman lived a modest life, learning to raise chickens (which would greatly benefit him later) and graduated from Custer County High School in 1937. He had plans to work for J.C. Penney, but his brother intervened. He knew Maurice was passionate about science, and he helped him secure a scholarship to Montana State University, which was then Montana State College.

Hilleman graduated at the top of his class and went on to study microbiology at the University of Chicago.

He would then go on to work for decades in the pharmaceutical industry, developing over 40 vaccines.

Nine of the vaccines Hilleman developed are part of the 14 essential childhood vaccines, like measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B.

He once helped combat an influenza epidemic, crediting his chicken and egg production knowledge for guidance. He convinced many U.S. chicken farmers not to kill their roosters as part of a public health mobilization, and his foresight on the need for enough fertilized eggs ensured the country had adequate raw materials for mass vaccination.

Hilleman is credited with saving millions of lives—but he's not well-known around America, not even in Montana.

And while he passed away in 2005 at the age of 85, he shared as much of his knowledge while he was here, and it's knowledge we're still benefitting from.

Did you know who Maurice Hilleman was? What other historical figures from Montana's past do you wish more people knew about? Share your thoughts in the comments!