Polio was one of the most terrifying diseases of the 20th century, causing terrible deformities and death. Many of its victims were children. In the United States from 1900 until 1954, an estimated 15,000 people were paralyzed each year, with a peak of 21,000 in 1952. Perhaps its most famous survivor was Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who contracted polio in 1921 at the age of 39. He was paralyzed from the waist down and could only walk using steel leg braces and crutches. He devoted a significant portion of his fortune to establishing a polio rehabilitation clinic in Warm Springs, Georgia, and a private foundation to support research, which later became known as the March of Dimes. Ten years after FDR's death, the March of Dimes funded research by Jonas Salk that led to the development of a polio vaccine that has essentially eliminated polio. It was a significant victory for science, proving that vaccines can help eradicate diseases. Fireside Chats host Paul Sparrow will be joined by Fred Dylla, co-moderator for the library's Science and Society lecture series.

Paul Sparrow is a writer, historical consultant, and the former Director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Before moving to the FDR Library, he was the Deputy Director and Senior Vice President at the Newseum in Washington, DC. He is the author of the book, Awakening the Spirit of America: FDR's War of Words With Charles Lindbergh—and the Battle to Save Democracy.

Fred Dylla has three degrees in physics from MIT and spent 15 years as a research scientist at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, followed by 16 years as the Chief Technology Officer at the Department of Energy’s Jefferson Lab in Newport News, VA. He finished his formal (paid) career as the Executive Director of the American Institute of Physics in College Park, MD, from 2007-2015. Fred now spends his time creating and teaching the art of woodcut prints as well as writing and lecturing about the history of science and art.

President Franklin Roosevelt broadcast his first Fireside Chat on March 12th, 1933, just eight days after his inauguration. During his 12 years in office he delivered dozens of Fireside Chats, guiding America through the Great Depression, and guiding a global audience through the horrors of World War Two. FDR’s Fireside Chats were a new form of political communication, using radio to connect with Americans in an intimate setting – right in their living rooms. His compelling and persuasive broadcasts encouraged Americans to believe in democracy and its future. Paul Sparrow, a nationally recognized expert on Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and the former director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, hosts this series of programs that build on the foundation laid by FDR’s Fireside Chats, and find their relevance to our world today.

NOTE: this session is available to attend in-person or through Zoom. You MUST REGISTER and indicate which you prefer. Each individual attending must register.

If you have need assistance with registration or getting your Zoom invitation, please email us.

Basic written instructions for using Zoom may be found here and a brief video tutorial may be found here. Closed captioning is available for all our sessions. Information on enabling closed captioning in Zoom may be found here.