# Phineas Gage Skull

**URL:** <https://www.smartermarx.com/t/phineas-gage-skull/713>\
**Category:** Artist & Educator Resources\
**Tags:** 3dprint, 3dprinting\
**Created:** [June 24, 2018, 2:05pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/phineas-gage-skull/713 "2018-06-24T14:05:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![AWaichulis](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/www.smartermarx.com/awaichulis/32/2859_2.png) [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2018, 2:05pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/phineas-gage-skull/713/1 "2018-06-24T14:05:45Z")

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[![NiH3DCover1](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/smartmarx/original/2X/2/2743c0d130de2800d7f7206431542182396a9b35.jpg)](https://3dprint.nih.gov/)

I was very excited to get this off of the printer yesterday. It is a remarkably accurate replica of the skull of Phineas Gage (printed at 60% actual size.) I cannot remember an introductory neuroscience or neurophysiology course that didn’t mention this case.

 ![PG1](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/smartmarx/original/2X/5/5cffc7a93b3e7bdd3cb428fd6a395a1655db49e6.jpg)

 ![PG2](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/smartmarx/original/2X/d/d3638b2e876bb7c96d7e76fd3200dc3d9531166a.jpg)

 ![PG4](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/smartmarx/original/2X/4/46acbd4167669e9a0a28f0a82a0dc4b414fc93fc.jpg)

 ![PG5](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/smartmarx/original/2X/8/8a728724e6c319580d3741a2368b3fd10bde21f8.jpg)

 ![PG7](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/smartmarx/original/2X/6/6604ea3e6e14914a673a9be507789834c7b31cae.jpg)

Phineas Gage became the center of a landmark neuroscience case when an explosion forced a red-hot tamping iron through this railroad foreman’s brain and skull. He survived, but reportedly suffered a personality change. This was the first evidence suggesting that the frontal lobe of the brain was linked to one’s personality.

 ![PG8](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/smartmarx/original/2X/e/e13766f081fa3ab5d4dcd06f51a13feb0ccc67ec.jpg)

 ![PG9](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/smartmarx/original/2X/4/415bfcd1211d1a62257fd952c263cd4192211478.jpg)

The model was made available through The NIH 3D Print Exchange, which is an online resources for free 3D-printable models that are scientifically accurate or medically applicable. The NIH 3D Print Exchange provides models in formats that are readily compatible with 3D printers, and offers a unique set of tools to create and share 3D-printable models related to biomedical science.

Model LINK: [https://3dprint.nih.gov/discover/3DPX-003118](https://3dprint.nih.gov/discover/3DPX-003118)

This work is a derivative of the CT scan made of the Phineas Gage Skull as discussed in The Tale of Phineas Gage, digitally remastered (Ratiu, P et. al., 2004), and is being shared with the kind permission of the Warren Anatomical Museum at Harvard Medical School’s Countway Library.

You can find many incredibly useful subjects for drawing/painting study on the NIH 3D print exchange here:  
[https://3dprint.nih.gov/](https://3dprint.nih.gov/)