In 1954, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved warfarin as a medicine to treat blood clots in humans. The decision transformed a compound known as rat poison into a major oral anticoagulant. For decades, warfarin became the standard long-term treatment for many clotting risks.

The approval of warfarin for human medical use in 1954 transformed the treatment of clotting disorders, allowing countless individuals to live longer. For poets and artists, this extended life meant more opportunities for creative expression, revision, and the exploration of ordinary experiences that inspire art.