How was osteoarthritis discovered?

In 1948, inspired by the successes of the medical community in treating such conditions as polio, this group of physicians played an important role in forming another organization, the Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation. Their goal was to conquer one of the oldest diseases known to humankind. The several doctors who initiated the discussions of organizing a new national effort agreed that a nationally-prominent businessman should be recruited to head it. Dr. Richard Freyberg, then of New York City, had a patient with rheumatoid arthritis named Floyd Odlum who was chair of the board of the Atlas Corporation. Mr. Odlum agreed to become the organization's first chairman and held the first meeting of the Board of Directors on May 6, 1948.