It's one of history's strange ironies that a top global medical school like Duke University originated from tobacco money. James B. Duke pioneered mass cigarette production which brought him immense wealth. Though cigarettes' health hazards were unknown at the time, his funds enabled the creation of Duke University Hospital and Medical School in the 1930s. Both are now world leaders in research and medical care. It shows how some good can arise even from harmful industries.
Heston TF. Big Tobacco, Cigarettes and the Foundation of Duke University. Jour Clin Med Res. 2023;4(3):1-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.46889/JCMR.2023.4302