Age, Biography and Wiki

Colin Murdoch (Colin Albert Murdoch) was born on 6 February, 1929 in Christchurch, New Zealand, is a New Zealand pharmacist and veterinarian. Discover Colin Murdoch's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 79 years old?

Popular As Colin Albert Murdoch
Occupation Pharmacist · veterinarian
Age 79 years old
Zodiac Sign Aquarius
Born 6 February, 1929
Birthday 6 February
Birthplace Christchurch, New Zealand
Date of death 4 May, 2008
Died Place Timaru, New Zealand
Nationality New Zealand

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 6 February. He is a member of famous with the age 79 years old group.

Colin Murdoch Height, Weight & Measurements

At 79 years old, Colin Murdoch height not available right now. We will update Colin Murdoch's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
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Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

Family
Parents Mary Kathleen Frank William James
Wife Not Available
Sibling Not Available
Children Not Available

Colin Murdoch Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Colin Murdoch worth at the age of 79 years old? Colin Murdoch’s income source is mostly from being a successful . He is from New Zealand. We have estimated Colin Murdoch's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income

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Timeline

1929

Colin Albert Murdoch (6 February 1929 – 4 May 2008) was a New Zealand pharmacist and veterinarian who made a number of significant inventions, in particular the tranquilliser gun, the disposable hypodermic syringe and the child-Proof medicine container.

He had a total of 46 patents registered in his name.

Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 1929, to parents Mary Kathleen and Frank William James, Murdoch displayed a talent for chemistry at a very early age.

Although he struggled through his schooling years with dyslexia, Murdoch already displayed an interest in both mechanical and technical skills.

At the age of ten he successfully made gunpowder and came to the realization that an ignition could be caused by the mixing of certain nitrates and sulphuric acid.

This discovery led the young Murdoch to build a successful firearm using a wick and a small asbestos-filled hammer.

At the age of 13 he was awarded the Royal Humane Society Medal for saving a drowning man in the New Brighton estuary.

Murdoch later came to outgrow his dyslexia and went on to study at The College of Pharmacy in Wellington.

Following this, he completed a five-year apprenticeship and, like his father, became a pharmacist.

He later studied to become a veterinarian, as he had an interest in not only human welfare, but also the welfare of animals.

Both a pharmacist and a veterinarian, Murdoch was aware of the risks in reusing syringes.

There was a high risk of passing infection from one patient to the next in both humans and animals unless the glass syringe was sterilized accurately.

Wanting to eliminate these risks, and needing a more effective vaccination for his animal patients, Murdoch designed and invented the disposable hypodermic syringe, a plastic version of its glass predecessor.

Murdoch presented the design to officials of the New Zealand Department of Health, who were skeptical, and believed it “too Futuristic”, and that it would not be received well by both doctors and patients.

Development of the syringe was held off for a few years due to lack of funding.

Eventually, when he was granted both patents, Murdoch’s syringe became hugely successful, with millions used throughout the world every day.

It is not widely known as a New Zealand design, although Murdoch's achievements have been covered in the New Zealand media.

1950

In the 1950s, while working with colleagues who were studying introduced wild goat, deer and tahr populations in New Zealand, Murdoch had the idea that the animals would be much easier to catch, examine and release if a dose of tranquilliser could be administered by projection from afar.

Murdoch became experienced with repairing and modifying guns during World War II, as rifles and shotguns were not being imported into New Zealand at that time.

With both motive and experience, Murdoch went on to develop a range of rifles, darts and pistols, which have had an enormous impact on the treatment and study of animals around the world.

At the time Murdoch started testing his tranquilliser gun, the only tranquilliser drugs available were curare and alkaloids of nicotine, both of which tended to have fatal reactions in a high percentage of animals.

In partnership with pharmaceutical companies, he helped develop more sophisticated drugs with precise and safe reactions.

Paxarms Limited (which stands for peace and arms), Murdoch’s own company, has developed various systems for administering veterinary products to a range of animals.

Colin Murdoch has been acknowledged for his life's work.

1976

In 1976 he won three gold medals and a bronze at the World Inventions Fair in Brussels.

2000

The New Zealand Design Council has also honoured him, and in the 2000 Queen's Birthday Honours he was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to inventing.

Time magazine included him in a list of the 100 most influential people of the South Pacific.

Despite the relative ubiquity of his inventions, Murdoch did not become rich because of them.

He deliberately chose not to sue companies that violated his patents, satisfied instead that they were being put to good use.

In his final years he lived quietly in Timaru until his death from cancer.