The Willard M. Drake Jr. papers consist of materials mainly pertaining to his invention, experimentation, and subsequent development of the Drake Uroflowmeter. Items include correspondence, printed materials, awards and certificates, diary excerpts, U.S. patent papers, scientific drawings, and military documents. Excerpts from Drake's diary reveal insight into his experiments with the Uroflow meter. Important correspondence between Dr. Drake and the American Medical Association relates to his inability to get their approval to profit from his invention as well as correspondence with two companies that produced the Drake Uroflowmeter for use. In addition, documents relating to his training and commission in the United States Army and the United States Army Reserve are also included.
Dr. Willard M. Drake Jr. (1913-2011) received his undergraduate degree from Erskine College in South Carolina in 1937 and attended Jefferson Medical College for his medical education. Following graduation from Jefferson in 1941, Dr. Drake interned at Cooper Hospital (1941-1942), held a fellowship at Jefferson Medical College Hospital (1946-1947), and then did his residency in urology at Jefferson (1947-1950). He has held hospital appointments at several institutions including Jefferson, Cooper Hospital (Camden, NJ), and Nacogdoches Medical Center Hospital (Nacogdoches, TX). Dr. Drake is recognized for his pioneer work in the field of uroflowmetry and in 1953 received a patent for the Drake Uroflowmeter; a device used to measure the rate of urine flow. He is a member of various medical associations including the American Board of Urology, the American Urological Association, and the American College of Surgeons. In addition, Dr. Drake was a Gross Clinic recipient, served in the ROTC at Jefferson, and saw active duty service in the Army Medical Corps (1942-1945). At his discharge, he held the rank of Captain. Dr. Drake died in 2011 at the age of 97 in Nacogdoches, Texas.
Willard M. Drake Jr. Papers, MS-091. Thomas Jefferson University - Archives and Special Collections.
Willard M. Drake Jr. Papers, MS-091. Thomas Jefferson University - Archives and Special Collections. http://aisrmedia1.jefferson.edu:81/repositories/2/resources/15 Accessed May 15, 2024.