Who Is PowerLung(R)? What is PowerLung(R)?

PowerLung was developed, and manufacturing started in the USA in 1999. Combing through the reference materials and stacks of the British Library we were able to document what Barry Jarvis, co-inventor and joint patent-holder, had believed since being diagnosed with COPD and wanting to be able to exercise without inhalers, additional medications or running out of breath, i.e., current devices were encouraging breathing, but not really training the muscles used in breathing and so, were not offering longer term improvement for better breathing. He had samples of lots of "the other devices", like you get in hospitals or for $20 online or in catalogs. He now made a prototype of our design so he could do a "case study" to test out the changes for himself!

In midsummer 1999 Barry had seen good progress in his "case study", so production materials were chosen, injection molds ordered, packaging designed, and other components sourced and ordered. By the end of the summer, Barry's prototype had helped him strengthen his breathing muscles enough he was able to jog around Houston's Memorial Park. After being sidelined by COPD this former UK competitive rower, rugby player and sub-3-hour, Boston Marathon Qualified Runner was ecstatic with the results. His prototype PowerLung case study matched the results anticipated in the research we poured over in London. 

In November 1999, I was pleased to be able to assemble the first PowerLung Sport unit out of the molds and it worked. Thanks to the expert design and build work of Barry Jarvis, co-inventor, our mold designer, and the mold manufacture company only one small change was necessary prior to beginning production. One minor change is almost unheard of in the plastics industry now, much less in a time when AutoCAD was in its youth and drawings were first done by hand!

Our first web page was "crafted" on Microsoft Publisher and started drawing attention from ads we placed in Marathon and Beyond, RoadRunner Sports Magazine and VeloNews. While we knew there were medical uses for PowerLung, we also knew active people would really love it as well! They did! Online and phone orders began before we even had finished product. Plus, since we were entered in The Super Show(R) Best Sporting Goods Product of the Year, so we couldn't have sales prior to December 1, 1999. So, our first Expo was with White Rock Marathon in Dallas. Closing out the year was one really special to Barry, The USRowing Convention in Philadelphia. Back to his favorite sport and all the excitement of boathouse tours and regattas. He got to meet Adrian Spracklen the son of his UK rowing partner, and joint founder of Tideway Scullers, Mike Spracklen. 

How much better can the launch of a new product be than having it designed and assembled where it works the first time, people can feel the results the first time and you are able to contribute to the sport you love!

I'm glad I was along from the beginning!  It was really special.

-Carolyn Morse, Co-Inventor, President & PowerLung User!

P.S. We still purchase all parts for PowerLung models in the USA; and we still assemble it in Houston, TX.