Polio is a condition of the body, but also something which is deeply rooted in material culture. Iconic symbols of polio (iron lung respirators, vaccines on sugar lumps, children in callipers) endure in our collective consciousness, especially in Euro-American culture.
This online exhibition explores different objects related to polio, including their origins, usage and experiences of interacting with them.
Recent posts
Polio objects (coming soon)
- The Iron Lung
- Callipers
- Sugar cubes
- Walking sticks
- The Bulletin
- Swimming pools
- Spinal jackets
- Patient operated selector mechanism (POSUM)
- Splints and plaster casts
- Action for the Crippled child charity collection box
- Rocking bed
- Ramp
- Hand grabs
- Wheelchair
- Leg warmer
- Invalid tricycle
- Tracheotomy tube
- Pain medication
- Felt toe separators
- Cuirass
- Hot packs
- Muscle charts
- Vaccination cards
- Shoes
Gallery of some polio objects
