Title
B-D Yale Hypodermic Syringes – Resistance Glass (c. 1930s–1960s)
Author
Becton, Dickinson and Company (Rutherford, New Jersey)
Image
Description
This pair of vintage hypodermic syringes—one 2cc and one 5cc—are classic examples of reusable glass injection tools manufactured by Becton, Dickinson and Company in the mid-20th century.
The smaller syringe is a B-D Yale model, clearly labeled and graduated in both cubic centimeters and minims. It’s crafted from “Resistance Glass,” BD’s proprietary borosilicate formulation that withstood repeated sterilization. It comes complete with the original box marked “B-D Twin-Pak” and includes a fitted needle. The companion 5cc syringe lacks a box but remains in excellent visual condition.
Reusable syringes like these were sterilized between uses and were essential to daily practice before disposables became widespread in the 1960s and 1970s.
Condition
2cc B-D Yale Syringe: Excellent. No chips or cracks. Clear barrel, strong legible etching, and intact needle. Box shows typical age wear, some discoloration.
5cc Syringe: Excellent. Glass is clear and intact. Markings still readable. No packaging.
Metal fittings are bright with no corrosion.
Gallery
Historical context
The Yale series was part of BD’s expansion into precision reusable instruments in the 1930s–1960s. The “Resistance Glass” branding referred to borosilicate material—similar to Pyrex—that could withstand autoclaving and acid exposure, dramatically reducing the risk of breakage or contamination.
Glass syringes were standard hospital fare well into the 1970s, only gradually replaced as plastic disposables gained popularity due to convenience and infection control.
Curious Facts, Ephemera, and Trivia
The minim measurement still printed on the 2cc syringe dates back to apothecary usage—1 minim is approximately one drop.
“B-D Twin-Pak” often indicated a paired syringe and needle set, pre-packaged for hospital efficiency.
“Resistance Glass” was not just a marketing term—its chemical composition allowed repeated exposure to sterilizing conditions without degradation, a major step forward in medical safety.
Some physicians kept personal glass syringes, sharpened and sterilized their own needles, and reused them for decades.
Why it is in the Cabinet
This entry illustrates a transitional era in medicine when reusable tools like glass syringes were still dominant—but innovations in packaging, precision manufacturing, and sterilization were laying the groundwork for modern injection practices. This set, with its clear markings and original packaging, offers a rare preserved glimpse into mid-century bedside tools.
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