"...Could you patent the sun?"
After his studies in The New York University School of Medicine, he decided to go into medical research leaving the trending medical practice as a physician.
At a time in the world, Polio was a severe epidermmic disease; there was no known cure and vaccine to battle the deadly virus. The discovery and development of polio vaccine, indeed earned him the name "The Miracle Worker".
Salk on discovering and developing the vaccine for polio, a project which was funded by National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, make an ultimate sacrifice; he refused to patent his discovery. He is often quoted saying, "There is no patent. Can you patent the Sun?".
Until his death, Salk continued to carry out research for vaccine against HIV.