The manuscript is devoted to Sauerbruch F. as a great innovative surgeon, scientist and one of the founders of thoracic surgery in the world. Little-known facts from his life and joint work with the mentor and “master” of German surgery (Mikulicz I.). The authors discuss the issues related to invention and presentation of the “Sauerbruch chamber” with reduced pressure for intrathoracic surgeries. A long-awaited article appeared under a modest but promising title in the sixth issue of this journal (January, 1904). It was supposed to make a revolution in intrathoracic surgery, put end to the danger of surgical pneumothorax, bring thoracic surgery onto the “high road” of scientific progress and immortalize its author (scientific assistant of the Royal Surgical Clinic in Breslau, Ferdinand Sauerbruch). Sauerbruch F. as one of the founders of thoracic surgery and authoritative school of surgeons is rightfully recognized as one of the patriarchs of German surgery in the first half of the 20^th century.