'Clever Kiwi' inventor loses fight with cancer

Colin Murdoch

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One of New Zealand's most significant inventors has died.

Colin Murdoch, 79, the creator of the disposable syringe, the tranquilliser gun, the childproof bottle cap and the silent burglar alarm died yesterday after a long battle with cancer.

Murdoch was born in Christchurch, but for more than 50 years lived in South Canterbury.

He was a pharmaceutical and veterinary chemist as well as an inventor. Working late at night at the kitchen table or in his workshop Murdoch was to patent 46 inventions and became a self-taught engineer. His most famous and influential invention for the well-being of humankind was the disposable syringe which he developed more than 50 years ago.

The catalyst for this invention came when as a young pharmacist he became aware of the dangers of cross infection between patients.

In 1959 he created an effective tranquilliser dart and rifle system.

Murdoch took part in testing the equipment and travelled around the world trialing it on large game animals. His equipment had variable velocity control for the syringe darts lessening the force of impact and trauma for the animal. In 2000, Murdoch was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to inventing.

Last year he featured in a series of New Zealand Post stamps, "clever Kiwis", celebrating five inventors.

Murdoch was diagnosed with cancer in 1991. A tumour that had spread from his sinuses led to the removal of an eye, part of his jaw and the roof of his mouth.