This Classic Article is a reprint of the original work by Hiroshi Nogami and Marshall R. Urist, A Morphogenetic Matrix for Differentiation of Cartilage in Tissue Culture. An accompanying biographical sketch of Marshall R. Urist, MD is available at DOI 10.1007/s11999-009-1067-4; a second Classic Article is available at DOI10.1007/s11999-009-1068-3; and a third Classic Article is available at DOI 10.1007/s11999-009-1070-9. The Classic Article is copyright 1970 by the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine and is reprinted with permission from Nogami H, Urist MR. A morphogenetic matrix for differentiation of cartilage in tissue culture. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1970;134;530-535.