What contribution did Salk make to science in the 1950s

Dr. Jonas Salk invented the Polio Vaccine.

After inventing the vaccine, he decided to first test it on himself, his wife and three sons. It was seen to be ok and a nationwide testing of the vaccine was launched in April 1954. The impact was dramatic. In 1955 there were 28, 985 cases of polio in the U. S. and by 1957, that number had decreased to 5,894.

Though an oral vaccine developed by Dr. Albert Sabin gained popularity in the early 1960s, Salk's vaccine is now returning to favor because of its lowered risk.