Animation showing the injury sustained by Phineas P. Gage (1823-1860), an American railroad worker who survived an accident in which a large iron rod was driven through his head. The iron rod destroyed most of his left frontal lobe. Although he continued to function independently and later worked as a stagecoach driver, the injury's effect on his personality is uncertain. There is little written evidence of what his behavior actually was for the twelve remaining years of his life, though some say he was much changed. The accident occurred on September 13, 1848. © Spencer Sutton/Science Source
