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The patient would lay on their back on the tray inside, their head resting on the tray on the outside, and the yellow collar would be tightened around their neck so that it was air tight. The mirror above their head allowed them to see more than just the ceiling.

Part of a 1989 telethon was filmed inside this room (thanks for the video Henry!).
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truly terrifying
anna
Wed 07-06-2005
Life saving or not, I would want nothing to do with being in one of those things!
Kassie
Wed 07-06-2005
What would a person do all day (weeks, months, years) in a machine like that ? Did a patient always have to lay flat on their back? or did the machine tilt to a more upward position?
silkster40z
Thu 07-07-2005
The machines don't tilt, and the patient must be on their backs at all times for the pressure to push the air in and out of their chests properly.
Motts
Fri 07-08-2005
Did they use cathiders then to?
gelliebean
Mon 07-11-2005
im sure they did, i just cant imagine having to live in this thing, wanting deseratly to turn on your side or stomach and you couldnt do it, makes you really appriciate your health and being able to breathe on your own.
anna
Mon 07-11-2005
i remember once reading a book about a man that came down with polio. He had just gotten married, and became sick. He walked into the hospital and ended up in an iron lung and never left that hospital, it was a moving story. I wish i could remember the name of that book.
anna
Mon 07-11-2005
I believe they have less restrictive forms of artificial respiration today. I'm not sure if Iron Lungs are still required in extreme cases.
Max
Wed 07-13-2005
I can't believe how good a shape they appear to be in. I hope that at least one of these is saved for a musuem somewhere. While they do seem a little creepty to some these meant the difference between life and death for someone.
sls
Thu 07-14-2005
Being in one of those may keep you alive but you sure as hell aint living!
KayD27
Thu 07-14-2005
I worked for a guy who had polio when he was young and he has an Iron Lung that he still uses today. But he only needs it for when he is asleep or to just lay down.
Dawn
Fri 07-29-2005
Iron Lungs!!

The ventilators in use today are much more sophisticated, but the old Iron Lungs are just classics for so many reasons. Those things were pretty neat, regardless how terrifying they might seem.
Ben
Thu 10-13-2005
I hate to say it, but it wouldn't matter if you did want to turn over. If you had polio badly enough to need one of these, the rest of your body was paralyzed too.
jane
Sun 10-30-2005
Why the hell is there an "Old Sturbridge Village" sticker on there?
frankthetank
Tue 11-08-2005
Don't know if this saying is just Australian (doubt it) or if it is known around the globe: "He's so lazy, he wouldn't work in an iron lung!"
JvL
Wed 11-23-2005
That is just amazing. Wouldnt people get bed sores from laying on their backs all the time? And to have the bag around their necks tied...tres interesting tho! Holy snikies!
LoudLove
Sun 02-12-2006
what a drab and sad existence if u had to be in one of these!
Amanda J
Thu 03-02-2006
I noticed the "Old Sturbridge Village" Sticker as well. I have done advertising for them and I know that this logo was in use in the mid-1990's. Old Sturbidge Village is in Sturbridge, Massachusetts between Worcester and Springfield, Mass. It's an old replica New England town.
Vixxen
Sat 03-25-2006
These should be donated to people like Dianne O'Dell who need them for parts to keep the one they are using working, since they aren't produced or mantained by the factory anymore. Someone in the area should check this out.
Dora
Mon 04-17-2006
Did they give these people pillows or cushions or something? Wouldn't you get bed sores? Could you move around and still have the machine work properly? Did they have problems with people's muscles atrophying?

I am just a load of questions today!
reddll
Thu 06-22-2006
Wow, that video was amazing, and so is that Henry!!! the part of the video when theyre interviewing him and you can hear the iron lung working... very... different. He has so much courage, i dont think i would have the strength to live like that.
nickazu_nickers
Tue 08-08-2006
Hey thanks nickazu_nickers
Thay interviewed me in another hallway. I wasn't near the lungs. The only part I was near them was at the beginning.
Henry
Fri 08-11-2006
http://www.dailymotion...ethon-in-1989_people

New link for the video.
Fireman1374
Thu 12-29-2011

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