Dr William W. Duke: Pioneer in Platelet Research

How platelet transfusions were invented

“…They were shown to be derived from large multinucleated bone marrow cells designated “megakaryocytes” in studies by James Wright published in 1906 3 . However, their role in human physiology remained controversial until William Duke, in 1910, described three patients with severe thrombocytopenia in whom dramatic clinical benefit was achieved by direct transfusion (donor to patient) of whole blood from normal individuals 4 . From this study, remarkable for its time, Duke concluded that “The data lead one to believe that a reduced number of platelets is not simply a phenomenon accompanying some types of hemorrhagic disease, but rather that it may be the direct cause of (a) hemorrhagic diathesis ……” 5 (emphasis added).…”

Beginner's luck – the first in vivo demonstration of functioning platelets; William Duke, 1910

“…Tributes to Duke came when he died (Tocantins, 1946); a 100 years after his birth (Brinkhous, 1983) and a 100 years after his first demonstration of platelet function in vivo (Kickler, 2009). All recognised Duke's place in history, particularly his ‘Bleeding Time’ (BT) and recognition of the brevity of platelet life‐span.…”