Plastic cool box, Germany, 1991-1993

Flair 4000, Plastic `cool box' of the type used to transport hearts for transplant, manufactured by PDC GmbH, 1991-1993

This cool box was used to carry hearts for transplant surgery. Donor organs are removed, put in sterile plastic bags and placed in a cool box packed with ice to preserve the organs. Plain cool boxes were used so that attention would not be drawn to their contents. Hearts can be preserved in this way for four to six hours. The world’s first heart transplant took place in 1967 in South Africa and was performed by Dr Christiaan Barnard. The first heart transplant in the United Kingdom occurred on 3 May 1968 at the National Heart Hospital in London. The recipient was a Mr Frederick West, who died 46 days later.