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An infographic with fun facts about the history of Johnson & Johnson’s surgical sutures

Sutures: The iconic Johnson & Johnson invention that revolutionized medicine

To commemorate the month that the company first listed sutures in its 1887 inventory book, we’re unspooling fun facts about the ubiquitous medical innovation.

A common thread in Johnson & Johnson’s storied century-plus history is its commitment to innovation in healthcare. One of its most revolutionary inventions? The mass production of sterile surgical sutures , which forever changed the field of medicine, and helped improve the outcomes of patients going into the operating room for the better.

The revolutionary product first appeared in a Johnson & Johnson cash book (a business ledger listing inventory and expenditures) as “ligatures” in January 1887. Since then, suture innovation has continued at the company, leading to a long string of follow-up products that are changing the surgery game in their own right.

This infographic spins the full tale of the great history—and exciting future—of those signature sutures.

A graphic of surgical sutures

When you’ve been innovating for over 135 years …

Johnson & Johnson has a virtual museum where you can learn more fun facts about its rich history.
Johnson & Johnson's new museum at its world headquarters in New Jersey
© Albert Vecerka/Esto. All rights reserved.

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