TED-Ed: How do blood transfusions work? | Bill Schutt

The video explores the history of blood transfusions, starting with early, often unsuccessful attempts due to the lack of knowledge about blood types. It highlights the breakthrough discovery of blood types by Karl Landsteiner in 1901, which enabled safe human-to-human transfusions. The video also covers advancements in blood storage, such as the use of sodium citrate and heparin as anticoagulants, and the development of portable blood transfusion machines during World War I, leading to the modern blood bank system.

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