What 1958 Built and How It Serves the World Today

In June 1958, Dr. Robert A. Hingson and a small team of physicians set out on a global medical survey that would lay the foundation for what would become Brother’s Brother Foundation. The team traveled more than 45,000 miles across Asia, Europe, and Africa. They surveyed 100 hospitals, administered approximately 90,000 vaccinations using Dr. Hingson’s jet injector, and distributed more than $100,000 in medical supplies to communities with limited access to care.

Upon returning from this first journey, the team recognized both the scale of unmet need and the potential for ongoing support. In November 1958, Brother’s Brother Foundation was formally established to continue and expand this work.

Dr. Robert Hingson
A physician and innovator in public health, Dr. Robert Hingson developed several medical devices designed to reduce pain and expand access to care. His most well-known invention, the needleless jet injector, or “peace gun,” made it possible to vaccinate up to 1,000 people per hour with multiple vaccines, dramatically increasing the reach of immunization efforts in resource-limited settings.

Growth and Expansion

During a medical mission to Liberia in 1961, Mrs. Gussie Hingson, the wife of Dr. Robert Hingson, observed the lack of educational materials in many of the country’s schools. In response, BBF established its Education Program, and in 1962 sent its first shipment of 100,000 textbooks.

In May 1970, a devastating earthquake in Peru killed an estimated 70,000 people and left more than one million homeless. BBF responded, marking its first major disaster relief effort and establishing disaster response as a core part of the organization’s work.

Over the following decades, BBF expanded into new areas of need. In the 1990s, BBF shipped seeds and farming tools such as hoes, pcks, and shovels to rural and impoverished farming communities. Between 1990 and 2000, more than 7,000 tons of seeds were distributed worldwide.

In the early 2000s, pharmaceutical companies began donating medicine at scale, dramatically increasing BBF’s capacity to support hospitals and clinics. Annual distributions of donated medicine grew into the millions of doses.

Today

Today, BBF works with a broad network of partners to deliver healthcare, infrastructure, disaster relief, and education support to communities around the world. Newer initiatives such as the mobile health clinic program and solar power installations extend care into underserved communities and provide reliable energy for essential services. Programs like BBF’s Hygiene Kit Assembly Program support rapid disaster response while also providing hands-on volunteer opportunities that keep BBF closely connected to the Pittsburgh community. This reflects a growing focus on not only meeting immediate needs, but also supporting long-term stability and sustainability in the communities BBF serves.

Historical details in this article are drawn from Operation Brother’s Brother.

Operation Brother’s Brother by Cyril E. Bryant and Lars Peterson

Operation Brother’s Brother tells the story of Dr. Robert A. Hingson and the effort to ease the world’s suffering through innovation and action. The book traces BBF’s evolution from early vaccination missions to seed distribution, textbook shipments, pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and large-scale humanitarian response across dozens of countries. It offers a deeper look at the vision that continues to guide the organization today.

A limited number of copies are available. Please contact the BBF office at 412-321-3160 if you are interested in receiving a copy.