You are on Puppet History, which is objectively the best Watcher show! The delightful Professor emerges. “Welcome one and all to Puppet History. Today we’ll be taking an ever winding look in yet another chapter in the heavy, heavy book we call history while our guests ruthlessly vie for the coveted title of History Master. I am obviously your beloved host, the Professor! Special Guest, are you ready?”
The Professor says happily, “Okay! Then let’s crack in!”
The Professor says, “Today we’re taking a look at one of the craziest medical events in history, starring a seemingly normal man who had an extremely bizarre event happen to him. Born in Grafton County, New Hampshire, Phineas Gage was the first of five children. Not much is known about his earlier years other than the fact that he was illiterate and, as far as records show, 'a perfectly healthily, strong and active young man.' Until, that is, September 13, 1848…”
SCENE: A young man, presumably Gage, is seen working on a railroad, apparently blasting rock away from the roadbed. A second man approaches and begins talking to him about the weather. Suddenly, an explosion occurs, and Gage is sent flying backwards with a scream. The second man rushes over, asking if he’s alright, but when Gage looks at him, he just says, “Oh my god.”
A history question appears: What happened to Phineas Gage?
The Professor gives you a cold, dead eyed stare until you say yes.
The Professor says, “Today we’re taking a look at one of the craziest medical events in history, starring a seemingly normal man who had an extremely bizarre event happen to him. Born in Grafton County, New Hampshire, Phineas Gage was the first of five children. Not much is known about his earlier years other than the fact that he was illiterate and, as far as records show, 'a perfectly healthily, strong and active young man.' Until, that is, September 13, 1848…”
SCENE: A young man, presumably Gage, is seen working on a railroad, apparently blasting rock away from the roadbed. A second man approaches and begins talking to him about the weather. Suddenly, an explosion occurs, and Gage is sent flying backwards with a scream. The second man rushes over, asking if he’s alright, but when Gage looks at him, he just says, “Oh my god.”
A history question appears: What happened to Phineas Gage?
You are incorrect. No history point for you- better luck next time! Ryan chooses option one, positing that it was the coolest answer. He does not get a history point. The Professor explains, “yeah! He got a metal bar, or rather a tamping iron, through his head. Basically, while Gage was working, the men behind him were distracting him, and he moved his head too close to the blast hole. The tamping iron sparked and, as a result, the powder exploded! The tamping iron impaled the left side of his face, through the lower jaw and up through the cheekbone, behind the left eye, and out through the top of his skull. Ouch!” “Jesus Christ!” Ryan exclaims. “Wait, how big was it?” “The iron?” the Professor clarifies. “3.7 feet long. I should also mention that the rod did not stay in his head, rather landed some 80 feet away from Gage!” A second history question appears: What happened to Phineas Gage?
Congratulations! You are correct- one history point to you! Ryan chooses option one, positing that it was the coolest answer. He does not get a history point. The Professor explains, “yeah! He got a metal bar, or rather a tamping iron, through his head. Basically, while Gage was working, the men behind him were distracting him, and he moved his head too close to the blast hole. The tamping iron sparked and, as a result, the powder exploded! The tamping iron impaled the left side of his face, through the lower jaw and up through the cheekbone, behind the left eye, and out through the top of his skull. Ouch!” “Jesus Christ!” Ryan exclaims. “Wait, how big was it?” “The iron?” the Professor clarifies. “3.7 feet long. I should also mention that the rod did not stay in his head, rather landed some 80 feet away from Gage!” A second history question appears: What happened to Phineas Gage?
You are incorrect. No history point for you- better luck next time! Ryan picks option two and gets a history point.
The Professor launches into the story; “He survives which, especially for the time, was unbelievable. To illustrate this, here’s a quote from Doctor Edward H. Williams, the man who first treated Phineas Gage; “I first noticed the wound upon the head before I alighted from my carriage, the pulsations of the brain being very distinct. The top of the head appeared somewhat like an inverted funnel, as if some wedge-shaped body had passed from below upward…Mr. G. got up and vomited; the effort of vomiting pressed out about half a teacupful of the brain [through the exit hole at the top of the skull], which fell upon the floor.” So,” The Professor says, “kind of gnarly.” “Gross,” Ryan says. The Professor continues, “Throughout the next few days, Gage appeared to be fine- or as fine as one could be after being impaled by a metal rod and quite literally vomiting your brains out- even being noted as not caring to ‘see his friends, as he shall be at work in a few days.’ However, throughout the next few days, he swung between delirium and complete rationality, and by the 12th day after the accident, Gage was semi-comatose. By the 14th day, “fungus”- which was actually deteriorated and infected tissue- was coming out of his brain and preparations were being made for his death. Remarkably, by the 24th day, Gage was in better health, even able to stand. 10 weeks after the accident, he returned home to his parents, not fully recovered but in decent shape for a man who’d spend nearly a month on death’s door.” A history question appears: Phineas Gage survived because of
Congratulations! You are correct- one history point to you! Ryan picks option two and gets a history point.
The Professor launches into the story; “He survives which, especially for the time, was unbelievable. To illustrate this, here’s a quote from Doctor Edward H. Williams, the man who first treated Phineas Gage; “I first noticed the wound upon the head before I alighted from my carriage, the pulsations of the brain being very distinct. The top of the head appeared somewhat like an inverted funnel, as if some wedge-shaped body had passed from below upward…Mr. G. got up and vomited; the effort of vomiting pressed out about half a teacupful of the brain [through the exit hole at the top of the skull], which fell upon the floor.” So,” The Professor says, “kind of gnarly.” “Gross,” Ryan says. The Professor continues, “Throughout the next few days, Gage appeared to be fine- or as fine as one could be after being impaled by a metal rod and quite literally vomiting your brains out- even being noted as not caring to ‘see his friends, as he shall be at work in a few days.’ However, throughout the next few days, he swung between delirium and complete rationality, and by the 12th day after the accident, Gage was semi-comatose. By the 14th day, “fungus”- which was actually deteriorated and infected tissue- was coming out of his brain and preparations were being made for his death. Remarkably, by the 24th day, Gage was in better health, even able to stand. 10 weeks after the accident, he returned home to his parents, not fully recovered but in decent shape for a man who’d spend nearly a month on death’s door.” A history question appears: Phineas Gage survived because of
Surprise! They're all correct! Congratulations! You are correct- one history point to you! Ryan picks option one and gets a history point.
The Professor explains that, “according to research by Dr. John Martyn Harlow, who took over the case shortly after Dr. Williams, posited that the pointed shape of the rod was able to essentially cleave a nice clean path through his brain, which minimized the areas damaged and the damage done. In fact, the rod actually opened the base of the skill for drainage, which actually aided greatly in his recovery. Furthermore, in an incredibly lucky series of events, the damage was primarily found in Gage’s frontal lobe, which did not impact his physical function.” A history question surfaces: To test your knowledge of the brain, what functions does the frontal lobe dictate? No options, just knowledge.
ANSWER: The frontal lobe controls cognitive skills, such as communication, memory problem solving, language, judgement, and personality.
Ryan gets a history point for being acceptably right. If you guessed somewhat correctly, you get a history point as well. If you didn't, then you don't get a history point.
“So!” The Professor exclaims. “What happened to our friend Phineas after this? Well, it’s best to sum it up in this quote by Harlow himself; “Previous to his injury, although untrained in the schools, he possessed a well-balanced mind, and was looked upon by those who knew him as a shrewd, smart businessman, very energetic and persistent in executing all his plans of operation. In this regard, his mind was radically changed, so decidedly that his friends and acquaintances said he was 'no longer Gage.” So, not great stuff.” “No,” Ryan agrees. “But he did have some things going for him!” The Professor continues. “According to Harlow, he traveled Europe and New England with the tamping iron to earn some money, apparently even appearing in the famous Barnum American Museum in New York. So, you know, good for him, I guess. Unfortunately, several years after his injury, his health began to deteriorate and, after a series of epileptic seizures, he died.” Another history question appears: How many years after his accident did Gage live?
You are incorrect. No history point for you- better luck next time! Ryan picked 8 and doesn't get a point either.
The Professor says; “Yes, so nearly 12 years after his accident, on May 21, 1860, Gage died. It’s a tragic story, but some good did come out of this very unfortunate accident involving this very unfortunate young man. For example, the case heavily influenced theories about locations of the brain in early neurology, especially when it came to determining the frontal lobe was directly involved in personality. It’s a case scientists and medical students study to this day! Today, Gage’s skull and the famous tamping iron can we seen at the Harvard University School of Medicine. On the other hand, this played a role in the creation and advancement of the lobotomy and was widely considered to be “the first lobotomy”. So, that’s not great.” “No, it’s not,” Ryan agrees. While the Professor tallies the points, the tamping iron comes on stage to sing about its experience and involvement in the whole incident. It’s an incredible performance. Unfortunately, I- the writer- do not know how to write music and, therefore, am not going to attempt to try. Use your imagination!
Add up your history points and compare them to Ryan's points (Ryan has 2 points)
You are correct! You get a history point. Ryan picked 8 and doesn't get a point.
The Professor says; “Yes, so nearly 12 years after his accident, on May 21, 1860, Gage died. It’s a tragic story, but some good did come out of this very unfortunate accident involving this very unfortunate young man. For example, the case heavily influenced theories about locations of the brain in early neurology, especially when it came to determining the frontal lobe was directly involved in personality. It’s a case scientists and medical students study to this day! Today, Gage’s skull and the famous tamping iron can we seen at the Harvard University School of Medicine. On the other hand, this played a role in the creation and advancement of the lobotomy and was widely considered to be “the first lobotomy”. So, that’s not great.” “No, it’s not,” Ryan agrees. While the Professor tallies the points, the tamping iron comes on stage to sing about its experience and involvement in the whole incident. It’s an incredible performance. Unfortunately, I- the writer- do not know how to write music and, therefore, am not going to attempt to try. Use your imagination!
Add up your history points and compare them to Ryan's points (Ryan has 2 points)
Ryan goes to get jellybeans and the history cup from the Professor. You must live the rest of your life knowing you failed to become the history master.
The Professor says, “Thank you for playing” and disappears behind the curtain.
You and Ryan get to share the jellybeans and the title of history master. He also graciously allows you to have the history cup because you’re the special guest.
The Professor says, “Thank you for playing” and disappears behind the curtain.
