Fun #1:  ASPIRIN Felix Hoffmann, a German chemist, produced a stable form of acetylsalicylic acid, more commonly known as aspirin, in 1897. Hoffmann, was searching for something to relieve his father's arthritis. He studied French chemist named Charles Gergardt's experiments and "rediscovered" acetylsalicylic acid--or aspirin, as we now know it. Invention: aspirin in 1897 Definition: noun / as-pi-rin / originally a trademark Function: Since 1899, acetylsalicylic acid has attained a leading position world-wide in the prescription-free therapy of painful, inflammatory and feverish states. Patent: 644,077 (US) issued February 27, 1900