Prehistory
- Ever since the Egyptians started making hieroglyphics, there have been recording of people with crippled arms and legs, even if they are completely healthy. 
- At that time, the civilization had no explanation into why people were being crippled for no reason, since medical science was only first starting to develop.  
- During many points of past history like the Roman times, for example, there have been accounts of civilians and even Roman emperors that suffered throughout their entire life from the virus. 
- Throughout many centuries, the polio virus was remained unnamed not considered an official disease, only a birth condition.

An Eygptian with a probable case of polio

Before the Vaccine
- In 1927, Philip Drinker invented a machine called the Iron Lung.  When it first came out this invention cost about the price of an average house.  It was used by actually going into the iron chamber of the machine and basically making the person breathe with pressure.  This lessened the damage polio victims had of chest paralysis.

The "Iron Lung" machine used in hospitals

Famous Victims
- Franklin D. Roosevelt - FDR has spent a variety of ways trying to benefit his case of polio, espicially during his presidential years. He has trying eletric currents, ultraviolet rays, and many other forms of treatment to help himself and others.  Even though he hasn't contributed major inventions to the acuse of curing the disease, he was a help to the disease's awareness.
- Arthur C. Clarke - Although he was famous for making the film "A Space Odyssey", Clarke was also a victim of the polio disease.  Since he contradicted it in his 60's, his contrabution to the awareness of the disease was not as significant as FDR's

One of few pictures of FDR in a wheelchair