frontal lobes

image site author, adapted from NEJM Digitally Remastered image

Arguably the most famous neurological accident affected Phineas Gage in 1848 when a 3 ft. 7 inch tamping iron exploded up through Gage's skull. Gage recovered physically, but his personality was permanently altered by damage to his left frontal lobe. As a result of Gage's misfortune, the frontal lobes were identified as the seat of the personality.