The local and national response to a polio outbreak during World War II brought uncommon results. Within 54 hours, the community converted a health camp to a functioning hospital, ready to treat children and adults throughout the region. The sometimes deadly disease of infantile paralysis caused many to avoid Hickory during this epidemic but for nine months the hometown folks braved the crisis and became a model for the rest of the nation, earning the title of "The Miracle of Hickory".

As Catawba Valley Community College professor and CVCC Historian in Residence with the Historical Association of Catawba County, Richard Eller delves into the people and events of the past, seeking new insights to their relevance for our lives. Currently, he is spearheading a cross-disciplinary examination of the 1944 Polio Epidemic with a forthcoming book and documentary. His recent work includes Speedbird: The History of Piedmont Airlines, which aired on UNC-TV. Eller coauthored The American Road, an American history text. His next project is to bring the history of Catawba County to the stage (in abridged form).

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx