Background and Identification
The Bird Corporation was founded by Forrest M. Bird, M.D., Ph.D. (1921-2015). Dr. Bird invented a number of popular medical devices that were used to care for patients with breathing problems. During WWII he served in the Army Air Corps where, in addition to training and transport assignments, he studied aircraft and respiratory and cardiovascular problems at high altitude. Two devices that he produced during the war went into the design of his first commercial ventilator, the Mark 7 Respirator. A ventilator is a machine that helps a person breathe or takes over the work of breathing completely.