History of Respiratory Therapy

Stethoscope is invented.

Sep 17, 1816

Rene T.H. Laennec invents the stethoscope used for chest auscultation. With his book, Diseases of the Chest, he lays the foundation for modern pulmonology.

The spectrometer is invented.

Sep 17, 1860

Bunsen and Kirchhoff invent the spectrometer.

Specific Asthma symptoms ar defined.

Sep 17, 1899

Specific Asthma symptoms for diagnosis is defined by Dr. Thomas Willis.

George Poe demonstrated his mechanical respirator.

Sep 17, 1908

George Poe demonstrated his mechanical respirator by asphyxiating dogs and seemingly bringing them back to life.

Oxygen masks are used.

Sep 17, 1918

Oxygen masks are used to treat combat-induced pulmonary edema.

"Iron Lung" is developed.

Sep 17, 1928

Phillip Drinker develops the "iron lung" negative pressure ventilator.

Primitive inhalation therapy program is established

Sep 16, 1943

Erwin R. Levine, MD, establishes a primitive inhalation therapy program. He used on-the-job trained technicians to take care of post-surgical patients at a Chicago hospital called Michael Reese Hospital.

The ITA is formed.

Jul 13, 1946

Interested students of Dr. Levine and other interested nurses, doctors, and oxygen orderlies met at the University of Chicago Hospital. Here they formed the Inhalation Therapy Association a.k.a the ITA.

Inhalation therapy department is outlined.

Sep 17, 1947

Albert Andrews, MD, outlines the purpose and structure of a hospital-based inhalation therapy department stated in his book, Manual of Oxygen Therapy Tecniques.

The ITA is renamed.

Mar 16, 1954

The ITA is renamed the American Association of Inhalation Therapists (AAIT). It was later renamed in February 1966 but it still is called the AAIT.

A Special Joint Committee in Inhalation Therapy is formed.

May 11, 1954

The Medical Society of the State of New York and the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists form a Special Joint Committee in Inhalation Therapy to establish “the essentials of acceptable schools of inhalation therapy.”

First Registered Respiratory Therapist

Sep 17, 1961

Sister Mary Yvonne Jenn becomes the first Registered Respiratory Therapist.

The AAIT becomes the AART.

Sep 18, 1973

The AAIT is renamed, once again. The association is now called the American Association for Respiratory Therapy, a.k.a. the AART.

The AAIT holds its first annual meeting.

Sep 17, 2014

At the Hotel St. Clair in Chicago, the AAIT holds its first annual meeting. It is now called the AARC International Respiratory Congress).