Date of Birth: June 9, 1921
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Date of Death: August 2, 2015
Biography
Forrest Morton Bird was an American aviator, inventor, and biomedical engineer known for his groundbreaking work in respiratory care technology. Born in Stoughton, Massachusetts, Bird showed an early interest in mechanical and aeronautical engineering, greatly influenced by his father, a World War I pilot. He earned his pilot’s license at the age of 14 and went on to study at various institutions, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During World War II, Bird served as a pilot in the United States Army Air Forces, where he developed an interest in improving respiratory devices for pilots facing high-altitude challenges. In the 1950s, Bird invented the first reliable, mass-produced medical respirator, known as the Bird Universal Medical Respirator, which revolutionized respiratory care by providing consistent and reliable ventilation to patients with respiratory failure. His innovations extended to the Baby Bird ventilator in the 1970s, which dramatically improved survival rates for infants with respiratory problems. Bird’s work earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. He continued his work and advocacy for improved medical technology until his death in 2015.
5 Interesting Facts about Forrest Bird
1. Forrest Bird held over 40 patents related to respiratory care.
2. He was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal by President George W. Bush in 2008.
3. Bird’s Baby Bird ventilator is credited with saving countless lives and is a standard in neonatal care.
4. He was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1995.
5. Bird lived on a ranch in Idaho, where he also founded the Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Forrest Bird
1. “The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.”
2. “If you can dream it, you can do it.”
3. “Necessity is the mother of invention, and in my case, it was the necessity to save lives.”
4. “Medicine and engineering should go hand in hand to improve the quality of life.”
5. “Innovation is the key to solving the world’s greatest challenges.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by Forrest Bird was estimated to be around $50 million.
Children
Forrest Bird did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Forrest Bird – National Inventors Hall of Fame](https://www.invent.org/inductees/forrest-bird
3. [Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center](http://www.birdaviationmuseum.com/
