A single unknown actor’s act permanently changed consumer packaging worldwide

Evidence

In 1982, a person or persons unknown laced Extra-Strength Tylenol capsules with cyanide, causing seven deaths (Fletcher, 2009). This case of product tampering, along with a rash of copycat incidents, terrorized the public and forced the permanent, costly adoption of tamperproof packaging of over-the-counter products. Some of the tamperproof packaging is so unyielding that it can turn otherwise serene individuals into raving ones. — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 2257

Categorization

• CANDY: The anonymous Tylenol cyanide poisoning is a compact, surprising story; the final quip about tamperproof packaging makes it fun.
• SHARE: Good tidbit for someone interested in how single actors produce systemic change or in the history of consumer safety regulation.