A six-year-old entered an iron lung after polio. More than 70 years later, he had become the world’s longest-known survivor

A man who contracted polio as a child has become the world's longest-known survivor to have lived inside an iron lung, spending more than 70 years dependent on the device for survival. At the age of six, he entered the mechanical ventilator, a critical piece of equipment that helped him breathe when his respiratory muscles failed due to the disease.

His extraordinary journey highlights the profound and lasting impact of polio, a viral infection that can cause paralysis. The iron lung, a negative pressure ventilator, was a common treatment for polio patients with respiratory paralysis before the widespread availability of positive pressure ventilators.

Living for over seven decades in this confined environment is a testament to human resilience and the dedication of medical professionals and caregivers. His survival underscores the significant advancements in medical technology and supportive care that have enabled individuals with severe respiratory conditions to live extended lives, while also serving as a poignant reminder of the devastating effects of diseases like polio.