1897 BD was founded in New York City, and its former location is now preserved by the U.S. government as a heritage site.
1898 BD began producing glass and metal syringes and thermometers.
1924 BD began producing syringes for insulin.
In the 1940s, BD creatively invented the venous blood specialty collection system and a range of other specimen collection products.
1961 BD invented the world's first disposable plastic syringe and disposable medical needle, leading the world into the phase of disposable medical products.
1966 BD was first recognized as a Fortune 500 company by Fortune magazine and has been ranked among the Fortune 500 many times since.
1973 BD introduces the world's first commercially available flow cytometer, establishing a leadership position in cytology research.
1975 BD produces the world's first BACTEC110 blood culture instrument.
1986 BD introduces the first two-color fluorescent direct labeling reagent in the history of cell analysis.
1992 BD is the first to introduce self-destructing vaccine syringes and a new generation of safe-injection disposable needles, strongly supporting the safe-injection programs of UNICEF and the World Health Organization.
1995 BD produces the world's only fully automated four-color flow cytometric sorter.
2003 BD introduces a new patient identification system to reduce the potential for medical errors during sample collection.
2005 BD Diagnostics is able to enter the emerging industry of proteomics through technology and other assets from other companies' businesses.
2006 BD is named to the Forbes Platinum List of "America's Best Companies" for healthcare equipment and services.
2007 BD introduces the FACSCantoll system, enabling up to 8-color fluorescence analysis and stem cell SP detection.
2007 BD Diagnostics adds the TriPath family of products for rapid review of women's cervical cancer diagnostics
2008 BD launches the upgraded flow cytometric sorter, the BD FACSAria II
2005-2012 BD named one of FORTUNE's "Most Admired Companies" by FORTUNE? magazine. "by Fortune Magazine.
2007-2012 BD is continuously recognized as one of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" by Ethisphere magazine.
2010-2012 BD was recognized as one of the "Most Admired Companies" by Fortune Magazine.