Ripley Entertainment Inc.'s Blog, page 142
June 4, 2021
June 3, 2021
The Real-Life Story Of The Boy In The Bubble
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
David Vetter lived a brief yet impactful life as the so-called “Boy in the Bubble,” becoming the inspiration for the movie entitled The Boy in the Plastic Bubble (1976). But what you may not know is that NASA constructed a specially made suit for the little boy, permitting him to walk around safely to explore the world.
Ripley’s recently acquired the original suit to commemorate this brave little boy’s memory, a testament to Vetter’s valiant attempts to lead a normal life.
The Boy In The Plastic BubbleAfter David Vetter’s birth in 1971, doctors placed him in a germ-free plastic bubble as a drastic measure to protect against the bacteria and viruses that would surely kill him. They had a hunch that Vetter had a rare condition known as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), which turned out correct. The bubble the baby boy went into, known as an “isolator,” represented a temporary measure to keep him alive. Doctors hoped to eventually cure him of this rare ailment through a bone marrow transplant.
Experimental TreatmentA team of doctors from Houston attended to Vetter’s life in the bubble, always hoping for a cure. His body couldn’t make the T-cells necessary to power his immune system, but physicians hoped a bone marrow transplant from his sister would give him the ability to live in the outside world, embraced by those who loved him. While between 80 and 95 percent of SCID cases are cured this way today, failed attempts at a bone marrow transplant sealed Vetter’s fate in the bubble.
Dr. John R. Montgomery (left) and David Vetter inside his bubble at the hospital.
NASA Steps In To HelpDespite the sad circumstances of Vetter’s extraordinary childhood, he enjoyed many of the same interests as other kids his age. An avid Star Wars fan, he wore t-shirts from his favorite movies. He loved the color purple, and he longed to try ice cream, Coca-Cola, and other treats kids his age love. But so many pleasures of real-life eluded him, from hugs and kisses to time spent outdoors. When he learned about falling leaves, for example, it delighted him.
To help Vetter explore the world outside his bubble, NASA’s germ-free astronaut suit provided a high-tech solution. Created in 1977, it was custom-made for the then five-year-old boy and cost $50,000. Known as the Mobile Biological Isolation System, it included a 54-page user manual. Despite the suit’s complicated nature, it allowed Vetter to leave the bubble for the first time.
A Tragic End That Raised AwarenessIn 1984, Vetter’s life ended at the age of 12, four months after the failed bone marrow transfusion. Physicians had to remove him from his germ-free environment for the procedure, which resulted in exposure to the outside world. He ultimately died from lymphoma cancer introduced into his system by the Epstein-Barr virus. Despite the sad circumstances surrounding his life and death, Vetter’s situation raised awareness about the plight of those with SCID.
Today, legislation in all 50 U.S. states requires newborns to get tested for this condition. In the rare case where an infant is positive, an immediate bone marrow transplant takes place. No bubble option exists today. By housing Vetter’s NASA-made suit in Ripley’s collection, we honor the memory of this courageous boy whose brief life taught us about the power of hope against all odds and the resilience of the human spirit.
By Engrid Barnett, contributor for Ripleys.com
EXPLORE THE ODD IN PERSON! Discover hundreds of strange and unusual artifacts and get hands-on with unbelievable interactives when you visit a Ripley’s Odditorium!
June 2, 2021
Paying Tribute To Mr. Chillal’s Record-Breaking Nails
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
In Mr. Shridhar Chillal’s home country of Pune, India, it is considered a sign of wealth for a man to have at least one long nail. So what’s there to be said about a gentleman with a whole hand full of record-breaking talons?
Nailing Down The ChallengeAt the young age of 14, Shridhar Chillal decided to grow out his nails after being scolded by a school teacher. Chillal had accidentally broken his teacher’s long nail—a sign of social status in India. This lengthy fingernail signifies that the person does not have to participate in manual labor, especially if the nail is kept clean and in good condition. In fact, during the Qing dynasty, even women of the imperial Chinese court kept long nails to signify the same.
At the time, Chillal couldn’t quite grasp the importance of the now-broken nail of his teacher. He was told that he would never understand the gravity of what he had done by breaking this single fingernail. To show his commitment, Chillal took his teacher’s words as a challenge. From here, there was no turning back.
It wasn’t long before Chillal’s nails became a part of him. Only growing out his nails on one hand, Chillal continued to live a happy and normal life alongside his wife, two children, and three grandchildren. He even enjoyed a successful career as a Government Press Photographer complete with customized equipment to accommodate his nails when using the camera.
As he aged, however, mundane parts of life became more difficult. Due to the immense weight and length of his nails, his hand became permanently handicapped. He’s unable to open his left hand from its closed position and is also unable to flex his fingers.
Chillal achieved record-breaking lengths for his terrific talons back in 2014. Guinness World Records named him the official title-holder for longest nails on a single hand.
It wasn’t until 2018 at the age of 82 that Chillal decided it was time to part with his five prized possessions. To no surprise, nails that have been growing for 66 years to over 350 inches would not go easily. Decades of dedication required the use of some stronger clippers than your average hand. We were lucky enough to commemorate this momentous manicure alongside Chillal and his legendary fingernails.
One by one, these fingernails were removed from Chillal’s hand. The longest nail of the five, his thumb, reached a length of 77.87 inches. When laid together, his nails spanned a length of over 31 feet—the height of a three-story building!
Mr. Chillal’s dedication to growing his nails is commendable and admirable, to say the very least. It’s only fitting that the iconic claws are displayed in a way that they may be forever memorialized.
Though it was an emotional goodbye, Chillal’s nails are able to be admired by travelers near and far. Three of the five nails are currently on display at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square, while the other two reside at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Amsterdam.
All photos copyright: Ripley Entertainment and Guinness World Records
EXPLORE THE ODD IN PERSON! Discover hundreds of strange and unusual artifacts and get hands-on with unbelievable interactives when you visit a Ripley’s Odditorium!Source: Paying Tribute To Mr. Chillal’s Record-Breaking Nails
Take A Seat In Carrie Fisher’s Director’s Chair
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Today: Carrie Fisher’s Director’s Chair
Though she wasn’t an official director, Carrie Fisher was given a seat of honor to rest in during filming and between scenes. This chair was used on the set of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi™. However, the film went through quite a few name changes before director George Lucas landed on the title we recognize today. In fact, hundreds of movie posters and promotional materials were printed prior to the movie’s release bearing the title Star Wars: Revenge of the Jedi!
EXPLORE THE ODD IN PERSON! Discover hundreds of strange and unusual artifacts like this one, and get hands-on with unbelievable interactives when you visit a Ripley’s Odditorium!
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