Martha Lillard, the last known person in the United States to live in an iron lung, died on June 26 in Oklahoma at the age of 78. According to her sister, Cindy McVey, Lillard’s death certificate lists chronic pulmonary failure and post-polio syndrome as the causes. Lillard had relied on the iron lung since contracting polio at age five, a device that became a powerful symbol of a greatly feared disease during the 1950s.
The Legacy of the Iron Lung
The iron lung—a large, airtight metal cylinder—functioned by changing air pressure within forced air in and out of her lungs. For Lillard, the machine was not a prison but a necessity that enabled her survival long after doctors predicted she would not live past age 20. In a 2013 interview with NBC News, Lillard described the sensation of entering the machine as “a relief,” noting that it made all the difference when she could not breathe on her own.
Lillard’s life defied the limitations typically associated with such severe medical dependency. Her family facilitated an active lifestyle, including road trips to Missouri in a custom trailer. Her father contacted hotels ahead of their travels to ensure doorways were wide enough to accommodate the iron lung. According to McVey, Lillard was even able to drive for a period of time, demonstrating a level of autonomy that challenged contemporary perceptions of polio survivors.
Did you know?
The iron lung was intended only for short-term use during the acute phase of a polio infection. Its use by patients like Martha Lillard and Paul Alexander for decades was an extraordinary medical exception rather than the standard of care.
Comparing the Experiences of Long-Term Survivors
Lillard’s passing comes two years after the death of Paul Alexander, another iron lung user who died at age 78. Alexander, a Texas resident, gained international attention after contracting polio at age six. Alexander achieved recognition for his professional and creative pursuits, earning a law degree and writing a memoir while paralyzed from the neck down. Both individuals held the distinction of being among the last people in the world to utilize this vintage technology.
| Individual | Age at Death | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Martha Lillard | 78 | Maintained independent travel and driving with custom equipment. |
| Paul Alexander | 78 | Law degree, author, and mouth-painter. |
The Decline of Polio and the Shift in Respiratory Care
The era of the iron lung began to wane in the late 1950s as mass vaccination campaigns effectively curbed the spread of polio. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the disease was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 1979, meaning it was no longer routinely spread. As vaccines became the primary tool for prevention, medical technology shifted toward other breathing devices, such as those inserted directly into the throat.
The transition from iron lungs to modern ventilators marked a pivot in public health. While thousands of lives were saved by the cylinders during those epidemics, the machines eventually became artifacts of a pre-vaccine era. Today, the death of the last known U.S. iron lung user signals the final chapter of a medical practice that once defined the national response to infectious disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Martha Lillard use an iron lung for so long?
Lillard contracted polio at age five, which left her with chronic pulmonary failure. The iron lung provided the necessary air pressure to support her breathing, a condition she managed for over seven decades.
Are iron lungs still used in modern medicine?
No. Modern, portable ventilators and other respiratory support systems have replaced iron lungs, which were large, cumbersome, and designed for short-term acute care.
What caused the decline of polio in the United States?
The introduction and widespread adoption of polio vaccines in the late 1950s led to a dramatic drop in cases, moving from thousands of annual infections to fewer than 10 by the 1970s.
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