Dr. William Thomas Green Morton (1819–1868) was a Boston dentist who in 1846 was among the first to introduce ether as an anesthetic to produce unconsciousness and alleviate pain during surgery. Morton received patents for his sulfuric ether and an associated inhaler, but his priority was contested and he died in poverty after years of litigation. This video is featured in the "Men of Progress" section of the American Enterprise exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. (The video does not include an audio track). Teachers, parents, educators! Check out our resources to use these videos in the classroom here: https://historyexplorer.si.edu/resource/men-progress-video-series Section link: americanhistory.si.edu/american-enterprise-exhibition/videos/men-progress Exhibition link: americanhistory.si.edu/american-enterprise
