As one who grew up in the '50s, I still remember the year(s) when we couldn't play in the plastic swimming pool or with the water hose because of the fear we might get polio. The fear was real. I didn't understand it, still don't really; how you "catch" polio playing in or around cool water. But every parent was afraid of sseeing their kid in braces. But, bless Jonas Salk, a vaccine was discovered and took away that fear.
The research for the vaccine was done at University of Pittsburgh, headed by Jonas Salk. The coolest thing I have read is that he refused to patent the vaccine. When asked by Edward R. Murrow who owned the vaccine, his reply was "the people." He added, "Can you patent the sun?"
I haven't seen it, but there's a movie about the vaccine and the research. Probably worth checking out.
1 comment:
When I was very small I remember seeing a commercial that pretty much ruined me for dolls and puppets to this day. It was a public service ad to vaccinate your child for polio. I can't tell you much about it except it had this happy image of a string puppet dancing and a pair of scissors would pop out and cut one of the strings. The puppet would keep on dancing but lame. And then another string out be cut....
Horrible.
Post a Comment