On September 13, 1848, Phineas Gage was a 25-year-old railway foreman in Vermont. His job involved using a tamping iron to pack gunpowder into rock for blasting. That afternoon, a stray spark ignited the powder prematurely. The explosion drove his tool—a 1.1-meter iron rod—upward with incredible force. The pointed end entered under his left cheekbone, tore through the front of his brain, and exited the top of his skull. The iron was later found 25 meters away, smeared with blood and brain. Gage was thrown to the ground but, astonishingly, was conscious and speaking within minutes. He was able to walk to a nearby ox-cart and sat upright for the 1.2-kilometer journey into town.
Phineas Gage
The railway foreman who survived an iron rod through his skull in 1848, and what his case taught science about the brain's frontal lobes.
Chapter 1
The Impossible Accident
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Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly happened to Phineas Gage in the accident?
On September 13, 1848, Phineas Gage was a railway foreman packing gunpowder into a rock. A premature explosion blasted his 1.1-meter tamping iron completely through his head. The rod entered under his left cheekbone and exited the top of his skull, landing 25 meters away.
Did Phineas Gage's personality really change after the injury?
Yes, his doctor noted a significant change. Previously known as well-balanced and smart, Gage became irreverent, profane, and unreliable, causing him to lose his job. However, he later held a demanding job as a stagecoach driver in Chile, suggesting he regained significant social function over time.
What is the scientific importance of Phineas Gage's case?
His case provided the first clear evidence that the brain's frontal lobes are directly linked to personality, social conduct, and decision-making. Since his injury mainly affected his personality while leaving motor skills and memory intact, it helped prove that specific mental faculties are tied to specific brain regions.
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