Uploaded June 2013 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Dr. Helen M. Free worked as a research scientist at Miles Laboratories in Elkhart, Indiana (Alka-Seltzer, One-a-Day vitamins, Bactine, etc.) along with her husband, Alfred H. Free. Together they invented many useful medical devices one of which was the Dip-and-Read strips that diabetics use to monitor glucose levels and several other important levels in urine. It changed the world for diabetics, and it is still in worldwide use today along with another of their inventions... the electronic device that also measures those levels from a single drop of blood from a finger.
Retired from Miles Lab, she still lives in Elkhart but has not retired from life. She is still actively involved with encouraging children, youth, and college students to try their best at anything they do even if it isn't specifically in the field of science. There are many jobs that can still use reasoning based on the scientific process.
In 2010 she was invited to the White House to receive the 2009 "National Medal of Technology and Innovation" from President Obama. Included in the list of previous award winners are individuals Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, along with entire companies such as 3M, IBM, DuPont, and Proctor & Gamble.
Dr. Helen M. Free worked as a research scientist at Miles Laboratories in Elkhart, Indiana (Alka-Seltzer, One-a-Day vitamins, Bactine, etc.) along with her husband, Alfred H. Free. Together they invented many useful medical devices one of which was the Dip-and-Read strips that diabetics use to monitor glucose levels and several other important levels in urine. It changed the world for diabetics, and it is still in worldwide use today along with another of their inventions... the electronic device that also measures those levels from a single drop of blood from a finger.
Retired from Miles Lab, she still lives in Elkhart but has not retired from life. She is still actively involved with encouraging children, youth, and college students to try their best at anything they do even if it isn't specifically in the field of science. There are many jobs that can still use reasoning based on the scientific process.
In 2010 she was invited to the White House to receive the 2009 "National Medal of Technology and Innovation" from President Obama. Included in the list of previous award winners are individuals Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, along with entire companies such as 3M, IBM, DuPont, and Proctor & Gamble.
