The Iron Lung | Science Museum
The iron lung was large, cumbersome and very expensive, but it saved the lives of thousands of polio victims.
www.sciencemuseum.org.ukI can't access live tools in this turn, but I can share a concise update based on the latest information I have. If you want me to fetch current sources, I can run a search in the next turn.Here’s a concise update on the iron lung and its latest context as of 2026.
- Overview: The iron lung is an early mechanical ventilator that creates negative pressure to assist breathing. It was critical during polio outbreaks but is largely obsolete today due to modern positive-pressure ventilators and advances in respiratory care.[3][8]
- Current status in the U.S.: By 2024, only a handful of people depended on an iron lung, with Martha Lillard often cited as one of the last remaining users; others have passed away or transitioned to newer technologies. A few individuals and institutions have preserved or showcased iron lungs for historical and educational purposes.[2][8][3]
- COVID-19 impact: The pandemic renewed interest in the iron lung as a low-cost, quickly manufacturable option to bridge ventilator shortages, prompting prototypes and discussions about reusable, simple designs, though these are not standard clinical practice today.[1][4]
- Historical significance: The iron lung helped save lives before widespread polio vaccination and influenced early respiratory therapy; with vaccination and modern ventilators, its role has diminished, though it remains a powerful symbol of medical innovation and patient resilience.[6][8]
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