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American Experience

The Lobotomist

Season 20 Episode 2

In the 1940s Dr. Walter Freeman gained fame for perfecting the lobotomy, then hailed as a miracle cure for the severely mentally ill. But within a few years, lobotomy was labeled one of the most barbaric mistakes of modern medicine.

Aired: 02/27/09
Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
Extras
Watch • 1:58
American Experience
Why do people shake Polaroid pictures?
We were told to "shake it like a Polaroid picture". But what if we got it wrong?
Clip: S37 E3 | 1:58
Watch • 3:08
American Experience
The Women of Polaroid
The women behind the camera.
Clip: S37 E3 | 3:08
Watch • 9:18
American Experience
Chapter 1 | Mr. Polaroid
Watch a preview of Mr. Polaroid.
Preview: S37 E3 | 9:18
Watch • 1:45
American Experience
Trailer | Mr. Polaroid
The story of Edwin Land, whose iconic Polaroid camera let everyone instantly chronicle their lives.
Preview: S37 E3 | 1:45
Watch • 2:24
American Experience
Trailer | Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act
The dramatic story of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990.
Preview: S37 E2 | 2:24
Watch • 2:23
American Experience
Trailer | ASL | Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act
ASL The dramatic story of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990.
Preview: S37 E2 | 2:23
Watch • 9:17
American Experience
Chapter 1 | Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act
Watch a preview of Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act.
Clip: S37 E2 | 9:17
Watch • 9:17
American Experience
Chapter 1 | ASL | Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act
ASL Watch a preview of Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act.
Clip: S37 E2 | 9:17
Watch • 2:50
American Experience
Trailer | Extended Audio Description | Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act
EXTENDED AD The dramatic story of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990.
Preview: S37 E2 | 2:50
Watch • 7:12
American Experience
How one carrot peeler revolutionized design | Extended Audio Description | The Curb Cut Effect
EAD Many household products were originally designed by or for people with disabilities.
Clip: S37 E2 | 7:12