Both respirator
Affordable plywood iron lung invented by Edward Both in 1937.
The Both respirator—sometimes called the Both Portable Cabinet Respirator or Both Cabinet Respirator—was a type of iron lung, meaning it was a negative pressure ventilator. It was created in 1937 by Australian inventor Edward Both. Because it was built from plywood, the device cost far less than earlier, pricier models and became widely used across Australia. Its use expanded further in the 1940s and 1950s after William Morris offered it at no cost to hospitals throughout the Commonwealth.
In 1937, a polio epidemic hit Australia. At that time, iron lungs were a key treatment for the breathing failure polio could cause. The first such machine, the Drinker iron lung, had been invented in 1928. While it saved lives—the second patient recovered after two weeks inside it—the Drinker model was expensive, very heavy, and had to be shipped to the United States for repairs. As a result, Australia had very few of them. Edward Both, who ran Both Equipment Limited with his brother Donald and had already built medical devices, was asked to come up with a solution. Within a few weeks, the brothers produced their own iron lung, calling it the Both portable cabinet respirator. Though still referred to as an "iron" lung, it was actually made of plywood, which kept costs low and made it lighter. It cost only £100, was easy to move thanks to its light weight and wheels, and was simple enough that hospitals could build copies in their own workshops. The portability also meant patients who needed long-term help could use one at home; as late as 2003, five privately owned Both respirators were still in use in homes in Victoria.
In 1938, Edward Both traveled to England to sell an electrocardiograph he had invented. While there, he heard a BBC Radio appeal for an iron lung to treat a young patient in a country hospital. He rented a workshop and assembled one of his designs in 24 hours, quickly gaining approval from the London County Council. He built more during his stay, and one was sent to the Nuffield Department of Anaesthetics at the Radcliffe Infirmary, where a short film was made of it. That film was shown to William Morris (Lord Nuffield)—the car manufacturer and philanthropist—by Professor Robert Macintosh. Impressed, Nuffield offered in November 1938 to turn over part of his car factory to produce the respirators and give them free to any Commonwealth hospital that asked
- inventor
- Edward Both
- year_invented
- 1937
- field
- Medical device
- nationality
- Australian
- known_for
- Affordable iron lung made from plywood
- cost
- £100
- units_distributed
- Over 1,700 Both–Nuffield respirators
Lore & Background
In 1937, Australia faced a poliomyelitis epidemic. Iron lungs provided a main treatment for paralytic breathing failures, but the existing Drinker design was costly, heavy, and required shipping to the United States for servicing, leaving few devices in Australia. Adelaide inventor Edward Both, who ran Both Equipment Limited with his brother Donald and had previously developed medical apparatus, was approached to provide an alternative. Within a few weeks, they created the Both portable cabinet respirator from plywood, costing only £100, light enough to be portable with wheels, and simple enough for hospitals to build their own.
Reader's Guide
The Both respirator's significance lies in its affordability and accessibility during a polio epidemic. By using plywood instead of metal, Edward Both reduced the cost to £100 and made the device portable, allowing hospitals to construct their own and patients to use them at home. Its impact expanded when William Morris (Lord Nuffield) offered to manufacture and distribute the respirators free of charge to Commonwealth hospitals starting in November 1938. Despite criticism from Frederick Menzies in the British Medical Journal about using an unperfected design, over 1,700 Both–Nuffield respirators were distributed. By the early 1950s, there were over 700 in the United Kingdom, compared to only 50 Drinker models. The device's legacy includes continued use into the 21st century, with five privately owned Both respirators still in use in Victoria as of 2003.
Did You Know?
- The Both respirator was made from plywood, not iron, yet continued to be called an 'iron lung'.
- Edward Both built a Both respirator within 24 hours after hearing a BBC Radio request for an iron lung in 1938.
- William Morris (Lord Nuffield) offered to manufacture the respirators free of charge for any Commonwealth hospital.
- By the early 1950s, there were over 700 Both–Nuffield iron lungs in the United Kingdom, compared to only 50 Drinker models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who invented the Both respirator and when?
Edward Both, an Australian inventor, created the device in 1937. It emerged during a polio epidemic that was striking the country at the time.
What exactly is the Both respirator?
It is a negative-pressure ventilator—essentially an iron lung—sometimes referred to as the Both Portable Cabinet Respirator. It helped patients who had lost the ability to breathe on their own, particularly polio victims.
Why was the Both respirator considered a breakthrough over earlier iron lungs?
Because Both built it out of plywood rather than more expensive materials, it carried a price tag of only about £100. That made it far more affordable and accessible than the pricier models that had come before.
How did the Both respirator spread across Australian hospitals?
In the 1940s and 1950s, William Morris began supplying the device to hospitals throughout the Commonwealth at no charge. This effectively removed the cost barrier and allowed the respirator to become a standard piece of equipment in many facilities.
What made the Both respirator important to Australian medical history?
It gave a large number of polio patients a realistic chance of survival during a period when effective breathing support was scarce. Its low cost and widespread availability meant it reached far more hospitals than the expensive alternatives ever could.
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