Phineas Gage

Phineas Gage was a railway worker who survived a severe brain injury in 1848 when a tamping iron accidentally shot through his skull, damaging his frontal lobe. Remarkably, he survived but experienced significant personality and behavioral changes, such as impulsiveness and difficulty regulating emotions. His case provided early evidence that the frontal lobes play a key role in personality, decision-making, and social behavior. Gage’s injury and recovery helped scientists understand brain functions and the importance of specific brain regions in shaping who we are.