Remembering History: Jonas Salk (1914-1995) became a hero overnight when it was announced that he had invented a vaccine for polio. Before Salk created the vaccine, polio was a devastating viral disease that had become epidemic. Each year, thousands of children and adults either died from the disease or were left paralyzed.

Jonas Salk (1914-1995) became a hero overnight when it was announced that he had invented a vaccine for polio. Before Salk created the vaccine, polio was a devastating viral disease that had become epidemic. Each year, thousands of children and adults either died from the disease or were left paralyzed.

Jonas Salk (1914-1995) became a hero overnight when it was announced that he had invented a vaccine for polio. Before Salk created the vaccine, polio was a devastating viral disease that had become epidemic. Each year, thousands of children and adults either died from the disease or were left paralyzed.