The Iron Lung

THE IRON LUNG: A HISTORY

Invented in 1927, the first Iron Lung consisted of an airtight metal box, an electric motor, and two vacuum cleaners. Philip Drinker and Louis Agassiz Shaw at Harvard University developed the contraption to assist in respiration by pulling air into and out of the lungs using pressure. Later versions were equipped with a sliding bed — called a “cookie tray” — and portal windows that allowed access to the chamber.

THE POLIO EPIDEMIC

During the Polio Epidemic, Iron Lungs became crucial to the survival of some of the more severely afflicted. In 1959, 1,200 people were using iron lungs in the U.S. alone.

OUR COLLECTION

This Iron Lung, on display here and graciously donated by Lancaster General Hospital, potentially provided relief to many of those who suffered from Polio. Thanks to vaccines, Polio has seen a 99% decrease worldwide however it has recently reemerged as a potential “global health emergency.”