Complex sentence: The sedative--hypnotic activity of methaqualone was first noted by researchers in the 1950s and in 1962 methaqualone itself was patented in the US by Wallace and Tiernan.
Split into simpler sentences: The sedative--hypnotic activity of methaqualone was first noted by researchers in the 1950s. In 1962 methaqualone was patented in the US by Wallace and Tiernan.