h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

 This was the first 'life-support' machine developed on earth. It was designed in the 1920's (earth years) as the human inhamitants on earth faced an epidemic of the spread of a virus known as poliomyelitis. Humans, being humans, shortened this to 'polio' and then humans, being humans, lengthened this to 'infantile paralysis'. In the more severe cases it caused complete paralysis. The virus attacked and destroyed the motor nerves in the spinal column of humans. Some made complete or partial recovery and some never made it through, but there were a number who made some recovery, but who came to depend on artificial ventilation for the rest of their lives. This is where the iron lung comes into being, and for more info, check out http://members.xoom.com/lungmuseum