For centuries, those familiar with Celtic folklore and mythology have been inspired by the story of the Irish mythological hero Cú Chulainn. Mortally wounded in battle, Cú Chulainn tied himself to a standing stone with his own intestines to die on his feet, facing his enemies. That this legend has endured for countless generations attests, I think, to the need for us mortals to have heroes, to celebrate courage, perseverance, excellence, dedication and a host of other noble human attributes.
When the bibliophile and avid collector of anesthesia equipment and artifacts, Paul M. Wood, M.D. (1894-1963), donated his personal collection to ASA in the early 1930s, what was to become the eponymous Library-Museum of Anesthesiology was basically a one-man operation. Over the years, however, the Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology (WLM) has expanded and flourished. It is now served by highly accomplished and dedicated staff members, an honorary curator, nine trustees...