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of Indiana History: Scripts The Orthopedic Capital of the World The Orthopedic Capital of the World, on this Moment of Indiana History. In the last century and a half, Indiana has made been recognized worldwide for its leadership in a variety of industries—from limestone production to automobile manufacture. Advances in medical technology and the graying of the population have conspired to place a different Hoosier-based industry at today’s corporate vanguard. Orthopedic specialists around the world treating musculoskeletal injuries and deformities use reconstructive devices, supports, and implants manufactured by three companies based in Warsaw, Indiana. Recognized as the orthopedic capital of the world, the north-central Indiana city of 12,000 was also the industry’s birthplace. Traveling pharmaceutical salesman Revra DePuy’s fiber-and-wire-mesh splint replaced the hard planks most often used to reset broken bones in the late nineteenth century. His innovation launched DePuy Manufacturing, founded in Warsaw in 1895. The world’s first commercial fabricator of orthopedic devices spawned a local competitor in 1927, when former DePuy splint salesman Justin Zimmer set up shop. His innovative aluminum splint helped Zimmer Manufacturing Company’s sales nose ahead of DePuy’s within a year. Zimmer became a Bristol-Meyers’ subsidiary in the 1970s, but has since reverted back to independent ownership. DePuy has changed hands numerous times since its founding, most recently having been acquired by Johnson and Johnson. The longtime rivals continue to dominate international market share. A third Warsaw orthopedics manufacturer, Biomet Inc. has operated there since 1977. This Moment of Indiana History is a production of the Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations in association with the Indiana Historical Society. More information is available on-line at “moment of Indiana history.org.” Writer : Yaël Ksander Sources for this program include: http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/DePuy-Inc-Company-History.html http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Zimmer-Holdings-Inc-Company-History.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DePuy http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007710130425 http://www.koscvb.org/kchistory.html http://www.examiner.com/a954507~Private_group_completes__11_4_billion_Biomet_deal.html http://www.timesuniononline.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=28444&SectionID=2&SubSectionID=224&S=1 http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/01/26/earlyshow/main1243126.shtml http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-7739622_ITM
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