The disturbing story of Phineas Gage
The disturbing story of Phineas Gage In 1848 a rail construction worker known as Phineas Gage suffered a work accident that would change neuroscience forever. On September 13, 1848, Gage was directing a work gang blasting rock while preparing the roadbed for the Rutland & Burlington Railroad south of the village of Cavendish, Vermont. Whilst packing the explosive powder into rock in order to bore a hole, the 25 year old would turn to view his men working behind him. Gage opened his mouth to speak; in that same instant the tamping iron sparked against the rock and the powder exploded. The tamping iron +1⁄4 inches (3.2 cm) in diameter, three feet seven inches (1.1 m) long, and weighing 13+1⁄4 pounds (6.0 kg)—entered the left side of Gage's face in an upward direction, just forward of the angle of the lower jaw. Continuing upward outside the upper jaw and possibly fracturing the cheekbone, it passed behind the left eye, through the left side of the brain, then compl...