Negative pressure lung is based on the application of negative pressure to the chest to generate airflow into the lungs. This type of ventilation can be useful in various settings, including acute or chronic respiratory failure, but requires specific devices for its proper application. Over the years from 1929 to 1967, a number of researchers refined the concept of negative pressure ventilation and conducted studies that demonstrated its limitations as well as methods of application. Eventually, positive pressure ventilation became available. Both negative and positive pressure lung ventilation were used for hypercapnic and even apneic patients. The role and positive aspects of negative pressure ventilation were largely overshadowed by the exceptional beneficial application of positive pressure ventilation during acute respiratory failure, and the need for the larger negative pressure devices made negative pressure ventilation largely obsolete. However, it was recognized that for patients with neuromuscular disease, the application of negative pressure ventilation could, nevertheless be beneficial. These patients could be supported for long periods of time. Because of the availability of newer negative pressure models, they were able to be discharged from the hospital and returned home once again to the work environment with a good prognosis.