Page 23 - The Science of Glass

Carrel-Lindbergh Perfusion Pump

In about 1935, Charles Lindbergh and Dr. Alexis Carrel invented a special
glass pump. Lindbergh was a famous pilot. He made the first solo nonstop
flight across the Atlantic Ocean. But he also knew a lot about biomechanics.

The pump pushed artificial blood into an organ that had been removed
from an animal. The pump led to the invention of the heart-lung machine.
A heart-lung machine pumps blood and oxygen when a heart is stopped. It
bypasses the heart and lungs. Doctors use it when they do open-heart surgery.

This 1938 painting shows
Carrel and Lindbergh
working on their pump.

Arts bottle by Ford

A Passion for Glass

Kiva Ford is a scientific glassblower. Each flask and test
tube he makes is carefully crafted by hand. In his free
time, Ford creates works of art out of glass at his studio.
He makes goblets and vases. He forms delicate figurines
shaped like animals. Ford has a degree in scientific
glass technology from Salem Community College. 21