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Two years ago, I read these words at the start of an American innovation series.

It might be hard to imagine it now, but back in the early part of the last century,

America was gripped by fear of a disease we didn't fully understand and couldn't fight.

That disease was polio, and obviously the fear and uncertainty that gripped America then

is now very easy to imagine.

So we've decided to re-air that fan-favorite series, because, as scientists race to develop

a vaccine for the coronavirus, it's worth revisiting the story of the polio vaccine.

What went wrong, what went right, and how, less than a century later, we got to a place

where I could describe the experience of living through an epidemic as unimaginable.

It's in August afternoon, in 1921.

And on Campo Bello Island, off the southern coast of New Brunswick, a doctor pays a visit

to a large cottage, painted Auburn with emerald trim.

This cottage is the summer home of an American family with one of the most recognized last

names in the world.

Doctor, thank you for coming.

Right this way.

The patient is 39 years old.

This is his home away from home, where he's been vacationing with his wife and children.

But now he's fallen sick.

When did he first show symptoms?

...