Man Turned Into A Totally Different Person After Strange Accident
When one New Hampshire man suffered a life-threatening injury while on the job, not many expected he would do much with his life, if he managed to recover. Well, recover he did — with some unusual side effects. Even now, more than 150 years later, we still have him to thank for helping scientists solve one of the human body's greatest mysteries.
Railroad Worker
A well-built man admired for his strong work ethic, Phineas Gage was a model workman during his railroad tenure in the early 19th century. His skill as a railroader was unmatched, and by his mid-20s, he was already working as the blasting foreman of his railroad crew.
A Routine Job
As such, Gage was in charge of clearing rock beds for the laying of track, a job he'd virtually mastered over the years. But on September 13, 1848, not even this lifetime of experience could prevent tragedy from striking.
A Spark
While setting a blast to make way for the Rutland & Burlington Railroad south of Cavendish, Vermont, Gage became distracted by a group of fellow rail workers behind him. As he turned his head to speak, his iron tamping rod grazed the stone and sparked.
Sudden Explosion
The spark ignited the blast powder, launching the tamping rod like a rocket. Gage tried to duck the oncoming projectile, but it was too late: the rod entered Gage's skull, pierced his brain, and exited his frontal lobe.
