1898 – Four different inherited blood types are identified: doctors discover these inherited differences in red cells can cause physical reactions in people when they receive blood from someone with a different type.
1913-1919 – To help soldiers wounded in World War I, doctors begin trying to devise ways to preserve and transport blood.
1939-1945 – During World War II, scientists add preservatives to liquid blood so it can be stored and transported: for the first time, transfusions area widely and safely possible.
1985-Present – As scientists identify more diseases that may be transmitted through blood transfusions, new testing requirements are introduced to detect viruses such as HIV, HCV, and WNV; and additional donor-eligibility restrictions are added to prevent blood donation by people who are at risk for certain diseases based on where in the world they have traveled or lived.
