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  1. FDA History

FDA History Exhibits

The FDA's rich history is brought to life in the virtual exhibits, photo albums, video blogs and historical films offered below.


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Historical Exhibits and Slideshows

Collier's Death's Laboratory Cover

A Brief History of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research slideshow

Learn about how the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, and its predecessors, changed over time.
Women Inspiring Innovation Through Imagination: Celebrating Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Women Inspiring Innovation Through Imagination: Celebrating Women in Science, T…

Learn about pioneering women from FDA's past.
black and white image of Mary Margaret Richardson on ladder

Voices of Innovation: Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Hear, in their own words, about the work of remarkable FDA women, drawn from our oral history collection.
collage of three photos showing: small white and blue pills surrounding a bottle of the AIDS drug Retrovir (Zidovudine), the AIDS quilt being assembled on the National Mall in 1987, and an assortment of later FDA-approved AIDS treatments in their original boxes
Left to right: the first FDA-approved AIDS drug Retrovir (Zidovudine), the AIDS quilt being assembled on the National Mall in 1987, and an assortment of AIDS drugs approved under the President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

The History of FDA's Role in Preventing the Spread of HIV/AIDS

Learn through object and images about the FDA's contributions to the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Our Story Exhibit Banner

Our Story: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Learn about how the FDA has changed from the early 20th century to today, as well as its evolving work to promote and protect public health.
American Chamber of Horrors images from exhibit

80 Years of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

In 2018, the FDA commemorated the 80th anniversary of the passage of its major authorizing legislation, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act.

Multimedia Albums and Playlists

man demonstrating use of Orgone Device

FDA Historical Images on FLICKR

Browse and download over 250 copyright-free, high-resolution historical images depicting significant aspects of FDA's past.
black and white image of Chamber of Horrors FDA exhibit

American Chamber of Horrors Images on FLICKR

Learn about some of the objects originally displayed in FDA's 1933 exhibit, the Chamber of Horrors.
Our Story Exhibit Banner

FDA's Our Story Exhibit Images

Explore some of the artifacts and images on display in the FDA's flagship exhibit.
Illustration of women in silhouette. Women in Clinical Trials Equals Hope.

Images of FDA's Contributions to Women's Health

The artifacts and images displayed in this photo album explore how FDA has helped to advance women's health over time.
Relaxacizor

Historical Video Blogs

Learn the stories behind some of the bizarre and intriguing objects in the FDA's artifact vault.
Don't Pump Trouble

Historical Public Service Annoucements

View dozens of historical public service announcement videos created by the FDA and DHHS.

NIH's Commemoration of Biologics Research and Regulation

CBER Building 29 Entrance

Biologics Regulation and Research: The People and Work of Buildings 29 & 29A

Visit the National Institutes of Health's virtual exhibit commemorating the work that took place in Buildings 29 and 29A, where the biologics regulatory program was conducted from 1960-2014.

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