Phineas Gage

The famous case study of Phineas Gage gives great insight into the physical nature of the brain and the impact that various regions have on decision-making, emotion and cognition.
Phineas Gage was a construction worker who experienced a severe brain injury while working with explosives on a railroad. An unintentional explosion caused a 3-foot long and 1.25 inch thick iron rod to shoot through his head and land almost 65 feet behind him. Amazingly, Phineas regained consciousness moments after the incident and remained responsive during his trip to the doctor (Kalat, 2006).
However, after returning to work, co-workers noticed a change in the previously friendly Gage who had become much more aloof and was prone to long cursing bouts and irresponsible behavior.

It's intereting how one can survive with the 1.25 inch hole in his brain but also effects on his persnality.