Poliomyelitis and the Salk Vaccine

Films and Videotapes

The Bentley has a number of films and videotapes relating to polio and the vaccine announcement. Incomplete coverage of the vaccine announcement and press conference is contained in several films of the April 12 events recorded by the University Television Center. The Television Center also produced several television programs about polio and the vaccine. (Short clips of several of them are provided on the University News and Information Services website.)

Salk Vaccine Announcement, April 12, 1955. (Media Resources Center, Archives Film #244)
Film footage of the press conference announcing the the results of the Salk polio vaccine tests. Dr. Salk describes the field tests and analyzes the results. Dr. Jonas Salk, Dr. Thomas Francis and Dr. Basil O'Connor answer questions.

Salk Vaccine Promotional, April 12, 1955 (Media Resources Center, Film File #218)
Closed circuit television program produced by University of Michigan Television explaining the development, testing and use of the Salk polio vaccine. Program features, Drs. Jonas Salk, Thomas Francis, David Bodian, Basil O'Connor and Hart E. Van Ryper. Sponsored by the Lilly Company, the program was aimed at doctors and medical practitioners.

Salk Vaccine Announcement, April 12, 1955 (Media Resources Center, Archives film #181
Film of press conference in Rackham Auditorium announcing successful test of the Salk polio vaccine, Dr. Salk talks about the development of the vaccine and testing methods. He inoculates a child and discusses the safety of the vaccine.

Salk Vaccine Test Procedures, April 5(?), 1955 (Media Resources Center, Film File #245)
Incomplete footage of a press conference by Dr. Thomas Francis, director of the Salk polio vaccine field trials, who discusses the methodology but not the results of the trials. This press conference took place one week before the announcement of the test results.

Polio - Drs. Wilson and Towsley, 1955(?) (Media Resources Center, Series H, #4)
University of Michigan Television Center program. Dr. James Wilson and Dr. Harry Towsley discuss the efforts to develop a polio vaccine, procedures for administering and testing the vaccine as indicated by the field test conducted by the U-M School of Public Health.

Frontiers of Health: Poliomyelitis I, 1955 (Media Resources Center, Series I, #86)
University of Michigan Television Center program. Fifty years of struggle against polio are discussed by Dr. Thomas Francis, who played a major role in the fight against polio when he directed the nationwide vaccine trials in 1954. Segment of 20-episode program, hosted by Dr. Adelia Beeuwkes with Dr. Harry Towsley.

Frontiers in Health: Poliomyelitis II, 1955(?) (Media Resources Center, Series I)
University of Michigan Television Center program. Rehabilitation of polio victims at the U-M Polio Respirator Center is discussed by two patients and center director Dr. David Dickinson who demonstrates some of the devices used in treatment and therapy.

"Polio Sarnoff Machine." (Harry A. Towsley Papers)

1959 March of Dimes Promotion (Philip A. Hart Papers)

40th anniversary celebration of the Salk polio vaccine: Rackham Lecture Hall / University of Michigan
Videotape of commemorative event; includes remarks by Mary Alice Williams (master of ceremonies), Jonas Salk, and several dignitaries, documentary regarding testing of Salk vaccine, and testimony by polio survivors.

Historical vignettes of March of Dimes polio research program.
Videocassette (VHS and Beta copies) consisting of five spots illustrating through film footage from the 1930s to the 1950s the tragedy of polio and the subsequent discovery of the Salk vaccine; include clips of Thomas Francis and Jonas Salk at the announcement of the test results of the vaccine in 1955.