If you take a multivitamin every day or a vitamin D supplement every now and then, you have Casimir Funk to thank. Born Kazimierz Funk on Feb. 23 in 1884, the Polish-American biochemist introduced the concept of vitamins, which he called "vital amines," according to Google. "In his later research, Funk studied animal hormones and contributed to the knowledge about hormones of the pituitary and sex glands, emphasizing the importance of balance between hormones and vitamins." Funk's family describes him as someone who was a "driven and curious child," according to Google. But Funk was also a family man who valued time with his loved ones, even after becoming well-known for his discoveries, his family told Google.

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Persons: Casimir Funk, Kazimierz Funk, Funk Organizations: Google, American Nutrition Association, Nutrition, of Fame, University of Bern, University of Berlin, Pasteur Institute Locations: Polish, American, Europe, Switzerland, Paris, Albany, N.Y