The “boy in the bubble’s” bubble

During his brief life (1971–1984), David Philip Vetter rose to fame as the "child in the bubble." David was placed in a confined, hygienic environment from birth because of a congenital condition known as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), and he lived there for the majority of his life. He was eventually given access to a mobile, sterile environment that looked like a space suit and allowed for some limited movement outside of his restricted environment. NASA gave him a new suit when he outgrew the first, but he apparently never used it. The American Experience claims that David only ever used the original costume seven times since he didn't like it. He passed away at the age of 12 from lymphoma.

During David's brief life, there was a lot of debate, but it subsided once he passed away in 1984. Some believed the treatment he received was less an effort to treat his crippling sickness and more a research tool. He eventually turned into the target of crude humor from stand-up wags. The Smithsonian has a sizable collection of items related to his experience, including letters from doctors, pictures, medical tools, and NASA-provided suits. Despite not being on display to the public, they are kept at the Museum of American History. The majority of the objects are viewable online.