Celebrating Fifty Years

On January 9, 2009, The Research Triangle Park (RTP) proudly commemorated its 50^th anniversary.

In its fifty year history, RTP has been an engine for the economic growth of the region and state and a center of innovation and break-through scientific discoveries.

RTP is home to winners of the Nobel and the Pulitzer prizes, as well as recipients of the U.S. Presidential Award and National Foundation Awards.  Some of the most profound discoveries of the 20th century have been influenced by scientists and researchers working in RTP, including the invention of the Universal Product Code (UPC), 3D ultrasound technology, and Astroturf.  Among the most significant of RTP accomplishments was the discovery of Taxol, hailed by the National Cancer Institute as the most important new anti-cancer drug of the past 15 years, and AZT, a drug used to fight HIV-AIDS.

Just as important, RTP is the workplace of technical, chemical, and biomedical scientists and patent holders whose discoveries have impacted the lives of all citizens in this country and around the world.  RTP is home to over 170 of the world’s cutting-edge companies and institutions.

To commemorate the anniversary year, RTP will host a number of programs to identify what the future of science and innovation centers will be.

The anniversary capstone event was RTP's hosting of the XXVI International Association of Science Parks World Conference on June 1-4. The conference brought together more than 750 technology-led economic development professionals and stakeholders from around the world.