American Panorama 38-10-12 Iron Lung

Summary

---

Podcast Summary: American Panorama 38-10-12 – "Iron Lung"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: True Boardman & Ensemble
Original Air Date: October 12, 1938 (Rebroadcast on Nov 18, 2025)
Episode Theme: Celebrating American ingenuity and perseverance through the invention of the iron lung and the spirit of national unity.

---

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of American Panorama spotlights the story behind the invention of the iron lung, placing Professor Philip Drinker, its creator, in the broader tapestry of American innovation, service, and ideals. Intertwined with period-typical musical performances and national reflections, the episode highlights how individual acts of scientific determination ripple out as life-saving legacies.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Opening Reflections on American Identity and Spirit

• [00:36–06:17]
  • The hosts introduce American Panorama as a celebration of America's diversity, freedom, and unity.
  • Music and song set an optimistic, nostalgic tone, evoking a shared American experience.

2. America Speaks: Contemplating Troubled Times

• [06:17–09:41]
  • Commentary by Knox Manning addresses the looming war in Europe, the shifting social order in America, and national anxieties.
  • America is at a crossroads between holding onto founding ideals and adapting to modern realities.
  • Quote:
    • “Ours is the task to see that [American ideals] are never destroyed in our own land, that they must be recognized in the rest of the world as the essential parts of America’s greatness now and forever.”
      – Knox Manning [09:35]

3. America Remembers: Tribute to Victor Herbert

• [09:41–14:55]
  • The program features a medley from Victor Herbert, celebrating American musical contributions as symbols of cultural heritage.

4. Unsung Heroes: Professor Philip Drinker and the Iron Lung

• [16:15–28:48]
  • Introduction to Drinker:
    • True Boardman announces tribute to an “unsung hero,” Professor Philip Drinker, whose invention has saved “hundreds, even thousands” of lives [16:40].
  • Background and Inspiration:
    • Drinker relates how the growing epidemic of infantile paralysis (polio) and witnessing a child’s struggle ignited his determination to create a mechanical respirator (iron lung).
    • Quote:
      • “It’s an idea that just came to me. Perhaps it’s crazy, but on the other hand... A machine to artificially produce respiration. Something that will breathe for people who are unable to breathe for themselves.”
        – Professor Philip Drinker [20:38]
  • Early Experiments and Breakthrough:
    • Details the process of developing the first iron lung, including setbacks and testing on volunteers [21:25–22:46].
    • The first successful demonstration:
      • “It’s breathing for me… makes my chest expand whether I want it to or not. It works, Professor.”
        – Assistant (Edward) [22:46]
  • Challenges and Heartbreak:
    • The first real patient, a young girl, dies despite the device [24:35–24:53].
      • “She died, and you tell me it’s a success... I see it’s a failure.”
        – Professor Philip Drinker [24:35]
    • The team perseveres and continues to refine the machine after this emotional blow.
  • Success and Impact:
    • The next critical patient, Barrett Hoyt, is saved—restoring Drinker's shaken faith in his invention.
      • “If you fail, I’ll understand. If you succeed, it will be a miracle.”
        – Mr. Hoyt, Barrett’s father [25:37]
      • “Your getting well was almost as important to me as it was to you. You see, son, I’d almost lost my faith in the idea.”
        – Professor Philip Drinker [28:17]
    • Boardman reaffirms Drinker’s legacy, praising his “ingenuity, courage, perseverance” [28:48].

5. Closing Reflections on American Ideals

• [29:43–30:59]
  • Knox Manning and Boardman reiterate the importance of maintaining America’s foundational ideals: freedom, perseverance, and innovation.
  • Salute to Professor Philip Drinker as an embodiment of these values.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On American Identity
  • "To look into the heart of a nation, listen to its music."
    – True Boardman [01:11]
• On Social Change
  • “The vanishing of free lands, the growth of cities and their slums, the multiplication of tenant farmers and despairing migratory workers are signs of the passage from one social order to another.”
    – Knox Manning [07:27]
• On the Iron Lung’s First Success
  • “It’s breathing for me. Makes my chest expand whether I want it to or not.”
    – Edward (assistant) [22:46]
• On Resilience After Failure
  • “During the days that followed that child's death, there were times when but for Lewis Shaw, I'd have been tempted to destroy the machine we built.”
    – Professor Philip Drinker [24:53]
• On Redemption and Gratitude
  • “Your getting well was almost as important to me as it was to you. You see, son, I'd almost lost my faith…You gave it back to me.”
    – Professor Philip Drinker to Barrett Hoyt [28:17]
• On National Purpose
  • "Ours is the task to see that American ideals are kept alive in our lands now and forever."
    – Knox Manning [29:44]

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:36: Start of American Panorama; show intro and musical montage
• 06:31: “America Speaks” segment with Knox Manning reflecting on social and political tensions
• 09:41: Tribute to Victor Herbert – American musical nostalgia
• 16:15: Introduction of Professor Philip Drinker as an American “unsung hero”
• 17:25–24:35: Drinker recounts inspiration and development of the iron lung, early setbacks
• 24:53–28:48: Success with Barrett Hoyt, Drinker’s emotional journey, recognition of his contribution
• 28:48: Concluding salute to Drinker; closing affirmations of American values

---

Overall Tone and Style

The episode is earnest, patriotic, and emotionally charged, blending documentary-style storytelling with stirring musical interludes. It underscores the values of resilience and community, immortalizing the achievements of those who serve others not for fame, but for the greater good.

---

Ideal For:
Listeners interested in American history, medical innovation, the cultural spirit of the 1930s, or the behind-the-scenes stories of transformative inventions.

---

Transcript

[Narrator]

Did you know you can opt out.

[VRBO Advertiser]

Of winter with VRBO? Save up to $1,500 for booking a month long stay with thousands of sunny homes. Why subject yourself to the cold? Just filter your search by monthly stays and save up to $1,500.

[True Boardman]

Book now at vrbo.com Ladies and gentlemen, the American Pan. America plays.

[Narrator]

America sings.

[True Boardman]

America speaks.

[Narrator]

America remembers, America salutes.

[True Boardman]

This is the American Panorama.

[Narrator]

My belong for freedom.

[True Boardman]

Yes, the American Panorama with Knox Manning, Nadine Connor, Bill Roberts, Edward Kaye, his orchestra and chorus and as master of ceremonies, true boardman to you Americans all to Americans everywhere, welcome in the name of each and every one of our fellow countrymen. We greet you. The American Panorama is a dramatic and musical review of the richness and greatness of this our nation, the United States of America. Greatest melting pot in the world. 130 million people representing every nationality on the face of the globe living together in harmony, in freedom and in peace. 130 million realizing that theirs is the finest country of all in which to live and determined at all costs to keep it so. From the beginning of our history, this has been the American way. To look into the heart of a nation, listen to its music. America's dance melody started in the raw wilderness with a jug and a fiddle. Now the civilized universe dances to our super bands and keeps time to the melodies of Tin Pan Alley. America plays, America plays. Music is the instinctive outlet for a people's emotions. And from the richness of our lives and our traditions, spring melodies which soon will echo round the world. Tonight with Bill Roberts, America sings.

[Singer]

Say it over and over again. Over and over over again. Never stop saying you're mine me say it ever and ever so sweet. Ever and ever so sweet. Just like an old valentine when you say I love you the same old I love you they whisper in storms stories and play you can change I love you the same old I love you to oh such a heavenly praise. Please say it softly and gently and then over and over again. Never stops sing your.

[Narrator]

Mind over and over and over again.

[Singer]

Oh say it oh say it over and over again.

[Narrator]

Oh say it over and over again.

[Singer]

Won't you say it never stop saying.

[Narrator]

Your mom over and over and over again.

[Singer]

Oh say it, oh say it ever and ever so sweet. Oh say it ever and ever so sweet. Oh make it sweet just like old valentine when you say I love you the same old I love you they whisper in stories and play you can change I love you the same old I love you too oh such a.

[Narrator]

Heavenly praise What a heavenly praise. Oh, say it, say it over and over again. Oh, say it over and over again.

[Singer]

Won't you say it over and over.

[Narrator]

Over and over again.

[True Boardman]

Yes, America sings. But what is America thinking in these troublesome times? In this country we speak our thoughts, ladies and gentlemen, through the voice of the popular young commentator Knox Manning. America speaks.

[Knox Manning]

The war clouds pile up over Europe and the reverberations of their thunder are heard too plainly in the Western hemisphere. Americans listen, think and speak. Some of us speak quickly, passionately, moved by a mixture of anger and apprehension caused by the news from across the tossing Atlantic. But others ever speak only after calm deliberation, a careful analysis of a situation, its deep seated cause and long range effect. Such a man as Dr. James Bryant Conant, President of Harvard University, who even as America trembles for the future of the entire world, calmly, dispassionately, searches for a fundamental truth and underlying reason for our domestic ills, and says utopian hopes.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

Of reforming man as a social animal, the ideal of the Founding Fathers, have produced no such result. We of America must readjust our thoughts to match old ideals with new ideas.

[Knox Manning]

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, and a mere handful of America's population listened as the President of Harvard made this thought provoking address which focused the blinding white light of a keen intelligence on one of the fundamental ills of not only America, but this troubled world, Dr. James Bryant Conant. And that takes us back to other words of Harvard's president. For a century and a half, he pointed out, Americans have declared this is a free country. There are no classes in the United States. But let us not shut our eyes to reality. The vanishing of free lands, the growth of cities and their slums, the multiplication of tenant farmers and despairing migratory workers are signs of the passage from one social order to another. But looking beyond our borders, realize that Russia is classless but not free. England is free but not classless. Germany is neither free nor classless. There we pause in borrowing the words of a great American educator of today. In a greater perspective, a destroying war is being fought over idealistic conditions which we of America accept without thought, over ideals of both personal liberty and social justice, which we enjoy without thinking of their significance. America thinks of these and other priceless privileges in comparative terms today, as war seems nearer to us, thinks of them as possibly jeopardized by a continent torn in a clash between old ideals and new ideas. But as America thinks of the future, it thinks of but one thing. That what has been preserved on this continent, despite all trials and Adversities must never be lost. The pioneering ideals of early America can be adjusted to the modern world. Ours is the task to see that they're never destroyed in our own land, that they must be recognized in the rest of the world as the essential parts of America's greatness now and forever. That is what America thinks. And what America thinks, America speaks.

[True Boardman]

In New York, Central park stands a statue honoring an American light opera genius of the Mauve decade. To countless thousands alive today, the echoes of his unforgettable tunes bring with them a sweet nostalgia. Blue Chows Rectors Delmonicos Handsome Cabs Fritzi Chef Fritzi Chef in Mademoiselle Modiste through the enchanting arrangement of Edward K. With Nadine Connor and Bill Roberts as the featured soloists, the melodies of that great musical favorite of yesteryear are reborn on this American panorama once more to captivate and bewitch us. Victor Herbert America remembers.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

Opening heart and head cheerily for our land melting also one so readily took their stand Battling.

[Narrator]

For the country's heart. Walk in perfume sleepy by the dream of light Sleep in your arms Far from alarm Daylight will come but in a moon. Keep me again.

[Singer]

All the time maybe morning or evening the place may be distant or near and the maiden demure may have made you feel sure that she'll be there without any fear. But there's always a hitch in it somewhere and the thought sets your brain in a whirl for seldom if ever you find them together the time.

[Narrator]

And.

[Singer]

The place and the.

[Narrator]

Hark dot Drum Here they come a parade at their side hangs their trike must be and they fall into fight and they swing into life Tis no wonder the enemies are free they would die in the tricolored room Never one to dishonor. Hark the drum Here we come on parade A cry trusty gray and we all have to fight and to take the light in the wonder the enemy's afraid of the best we will die as a pride on the truth He's a dance of a mess He's a girl in a mess She's a mess up sa.

[True Boardman]

We have often sung the praises of some of the men and women, scientists, statesmen, inventors who have helped to make our country great. Their names are graven in America's hall of Fame but what of our unsung heroes, those servants of mankind who have been almost lost in the pulsing rush of life, who have done their ta.

[VRBO Advertiser]

The world is buzzing with AI tools But instead of making things easier, they've made your workflow Overwhelming. You're stuck copying and pasting context switching and juggling too many apps. There's now a better way that outsmarts the work chaos. Meet Superhuman, the AI productivity suite that gives you superpowers everywhere. You work with Grammarly, mail and coda. Working together, you get proactive help across your workflow, from writing to preparing for meetings, presentations, and so much more. Think of Superhuman as your AI dream team, proactively helping you go from to do to done faster. Superhuman knows what you might need and offers suggestions. Whether you're drafting emails, creating documents, or more. It guides you in the moment so you sound like your best self and stay focused on what matters. There are even specialized agents designed to collaborate seamlessly and amplify your impact. Unleash your superhuman potential today. Learn [e-mail] podcast that's superhuman.com podcast and.

[True Boardman]

Gone their ways unhelded. It is one such person, an unsung hero in the national march of achievement whom tonight America salutes. Hundreds, even thousands, are alive today because of a single man. And the numbers that his work will save in days and years to come are beyond all hope of counting.

[Narrator]

You mean Pastor. He discovered vaccinations?

[True Boardman]

Or Cook, who found the treatment for the inferior?

[Professor Philip Drinker]

No, it's William Morton you refer to. He suspected anesthesia.

[Narrator]

You're wrong.

[True Boardman]

They were great men, but they are gone. This person I speak of is still alive, still eager, still determined to serve and to accomplish for mankind.

[Narrator]

Who is he, then?

[True Boardman]

Suppose we call him forth and speak to him. I'm sure there's magic enough in radio for that. At any rate, we can try. Philip Drinker. That's his name. Philip. Professor Philip Drinker.

[Narrator]

Yes.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

Did you call me?

[True Boardman]

We did. We called you. To step forward from the obscurity of man's thoughtlessness. We'd like to learn firsthand about the work you've done and how and why and what has come of it. Suppose you tell us. Philip.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

Drinks. Well, I can try. I'm not quite sure myself how it began. You see, I've always been interested in the scientific conditioning of the air we breathe. I suppose that's why I quit teaching physiology at Harvard Medical School and began to specialize in ventilation. But, of course, I still had many contacts in medicine, and there was a day, early in 1927, when I'd arranged to meet an MD friend of mine at his hospital. I arrived a few minutes early.

[Narrator]

Yes, Professor Drinker, Dr. Rogers will be right here. But he asked me to tell you he won't be able to go to that dinner party with you after all.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

Oh, I see. Bad case.

[Narrator]

Pitiful six year old youngster. Infantal paralysis.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

Another one. It's getting close to the epidemic stage, isn't it? Here in the city, I mean, not.

[Narrator]

Only in the city. Throughout the country. Hundreds of new cases each week.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

Oh, the poor kid. I know how you.

[Narrator]

Oh, here comes Dr. Rogers.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

And we're doing everything that can be done, Mrs. Hill.

[Narrator]

But will he get well, Dr. Rogers? Will Tommy get well?

[Professor Philip Drinker]

Frankly, we can't be sure. I'm sorry.

[Narrator]

I understand, doctor. I'll go back and do it.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

Hello, Phil. I'm sorry about tonight, but I want to stay right, by the way. That's all right, John. I only wish I could help. A miracle. That's all that could help Tommy Hill right now. The paralysis has moved to the diaphragm and chest wall muscles. He's going to suffocate. Suffocate? That's what it amounts to if he can't draw air into his lungs. What about a pool, Moses?

[Narrator]

A pool?

[Professor Philip Drinker]

Metal forces air into the lungs and then draws it out again. But the chest muscles aren't working. And they must be. Yes. Then what you need in cases like this is exactly what I said before. A miracle. I'm not so sure what you mean, John. I don't know the answer to this problem, but I've got a hunch there is one and maybe I can find it. Phil, if you could, I'd be.

[Narrator]

Yes, you better come in at once. Quickly, doctor.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

For hours I walk the streets reliving every moment of that scene back in the hospital. And with every step I seemed to hear the tortured breathing of that child fighting vainly for the year that would keep him alive.

[Narrator]

Six years old, infant of paralysis hasn't a chance at 10.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

We're doing everything we can for Tommy.

[Narrator]

An epidemic throughout the whole country. Will Tommy get well, doctor? Will he get well?

[True Boardman]

A miracle. That's all that'll help the boy now. A miracle.

[Narrator]

Hundreds of new cases every week. He'll suffocate. I'll go back into it.

[True Boardman]

It needs a miracle.

[Narrator]

I understand, doctor. A miracle.

[True Boardman]

A miracle.

[Narrator]

Come in. Come, come.

[Singer]

Oh, Phil.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

Come in. What's wrong, Lewis? I'm sorry to wake you up this time of night, but I need your help.

[Singer]

Of course.

[True Boardman]

What is it?

[Professor Philip Drinker]

It's an idea that just came to me. Perhaps it's crazy, but on the other hand. Wait a minute. What are you talking about? A machine, Lewis. A machine to artificially produce respiration. Something that will breathe for people who Are unable to breathe for themselves.

[True Boardman]

But how can it be done?

[Professor Philip Drinker]

We're going to experiment. I'll explain the principle of my idea, and if you agree it's right, we'll start building the machine tomorrow. We need money, Mr. Carter. And I'll admit there's a chance I am on the wrong track. I don't think so. And if I'm right. Wait, wait. Professor Drinker, I'm not sure that I.

[Singer]

Believe in this idea of yours.

[True Boardman]

But I do believe in you. I don't know how anyone can listen.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

To you for 10 minutes and not believe in you.

[True Boardman]

Professor, my company will back your experiments.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

How much do you need? The hours we spent in that workshop, the disappointments we met one after another, aren't important. The day finally came when the first crude model was completed. It stood there, a huge cylinder of steel, A symbol of the success or failure of that idea I'd had long weeks before. One of our assistants volunteered to be a sort of human guinea pig. Feel all right in there, Edward? I guess so, Professor. This. This rubber collar attachment's pretty tight around my neck. It has to be. We have to create a vacuum inside the cylinder. But will that ordinary vacuum cleaner motor be strong enough for that? We'll find that out. Ready, Liz?

[True Boardman]

All set.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

Well, here goes. Turn the switch. Left.

[True Boardman]

Right.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

Edwards, what's happening? How does this affect your breathing? It's.

[Narrator]

It's.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

It's breathing for me. Makes my chest expand whether I want it to or not. It works, Professor.

[Narrator]

It works.

[True Boardman]

Phil, long distance again for you.

[Narrator]

Boston.

[True Boardman]

The Children's Hospital.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

We gave them our answer.

[True Boardman]

But why should we refuse?

[Professor Philip Drinker]

Phil, the machine's finished. What is it, Louis? Are we sure it's as perfect as we can make it? It must be before we risk using it on a human patient. Listen, Phil, that doctor on the phone.

[True Boardman]

Says paralysis is rapidly involving the chest muscles of a little girl.

[Knox Manning]

But, Lewis, I don't think.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

In a few hours it will be too late for any machine on earth to help her. All right, Lewis, I guess you're right. We've got to make the test sometime. And if our iron lung isn't ready now, it never will be. We'll go to Boston. Professor Drinker, on behalf of the staff of the Children's Hospital, I want to congratulate you on your apparatus. For five days, we doctors have watched that machine keep a child alive. And then. The little girl is still in the lung, Doctor? Why, no, she's. You've taken her out after five days? She can breathe normally without it. No professor, the fact is, the child died two hours ago. She died. That child died. And you stand there and congratulate. Congratulate me on my machine. She died, and you tell me it's a success.

[True Boardman]

Well, I see it's a failure.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

During the days that followed that child's death, there were times when but for Lewis Shaw, I'd have been tempted to destroy the machine we built. But we continued our experiments with animals. And then in September, 1929, a young Harvard senior named Barrett Hoyt had been stricken with paralysis. I'd like to help your son. The first patient on whom the iron lung was used. A child died. I know, but the doctor says your.

[Knox Manning]

Apparatus was not at fault.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

Unfortunately, we can't be sure of that.

[Knox Manning]

Professor Drinker, if there's even a chance that your iron lung might save my son, I beg you to try.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

If you fail, I. I'll understand. If you succeed, it will be a miracle. A miracle. Mr. Hort, if you're sure you understand, then we'll do it.

[True Boardman]

We'll try to save your son.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

Or he's unconscious.

[Narrator]

Yes. It happened just as we put him in the cabinet.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

We're ready if you are, Mr. Hoyt. You're sure you understand the risk? I understand. Nurse, turn on the switch. He's breathing deeper.

[Narrator]

The machine works perfectly.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

I think your job is done, Brinker. We'll see, doctor, in five days a week, if he's still breathing in and still later. If the day comes when he can breathe as well as ever before outside that iron lung, then I'll agree with him. Then the job is done. Patient Barrett. Height 10 hours in. Drinker, artificial respirator. Condition improving. Patient Barret Hoyt. Three days in respirator. Pulse normal. General condition improving. Patient Barret Hoyt. Condition greatly improved. Removed from respirator for a longer period each day. Yes? Professor Drinker?

[Knox Manning]

Yes.

[Professor Philip Drinker]

Come in. You may not recognize me. I've changed a little since you saw me last. My name is Barrett Hoyt. Well, of course. Of course I'm glad to see you, Mr. Hoyt. Professor, I. I don't know quite how to say this, but I want to thank you. I'm starting back to college next month and. Well, I guess you know how I feel about you and that iron lung of yours. I'm glad it helped you. As a matter of fact, your getting well was almost as important to me as it was to you. You see, son, I'd almost lost my faith. An idea. And you will. Indirectly. You gave it back to me, and I'm grateful. To you for that. More grateful than you can ever know.

[True Boardman]

For his ingenuity, his courage, his perseverance, for his idea and its fulfillment. For his labors that shall save unnumbered lives in years to come. It is the inventor of the iron lung, Professor Philip Drinker, whom America salutes. America plague. America things.

[Narrator]

Say it, we'll say it over and over again, over and over again.

[True Boardman]

America speaks.

[Knox Manning]

Ours is the task to see that American ideals are kept alive in our lands now and forever.

[True Boardman]

America remembers.

[Narrator]

We would die as a tricolor.

[True Boardman]

And America salute an unsung hero. This is the American Panorama. Nadine Connor, Knox Manning, Bill Roberts, Edward Payne, his orchestra in chorus and the.

[Knox Manning]

Members of the entire cast.

[True Boardman]

This is True Boardman saying good night and invite him to be with us next week for another American Panorama. This is the National Broadcasting Company.