Blood transfusions were first suggested in the 17th century and even attempted on animals in the same century using tubings. It took until the 20th century, when Karl Landsteiner discovered blood types, for human transfusions to be successful. At first, indirect transfusions were performed, where the doctor drew blood from one patient and injected it into another patient’s vein. A Belgian doctor identified as A. Hustin is credited with performing the first such transfusion, on this date in 1914. Hustin performed the procedure at the Hôpital Saint-Jean in Brussels. Doctors continued to perfect the procedure until a direct method of transfusion was developed. It wasn’t until the 1930s, when blood storage was perfected, that enough blood was on hand at hospitals for certain surgical procedures.

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