“ | They're not a prison. They're a lifeboat. We're hanging by our nails. Layton, we're hanging by our nails. The whole goddamn human experiment, it can be undone by a bloom of mold. Four hundred people. They were selected for diversity, for health, for skills. To give us a fighting chance on the other side. | ” |
— Melanie Cavill |
History
The Drawers were experimental technology even before Snowpiercer departed. As there would be no use for this kind of technology on Luxury Liner, they must have been added to the train when it underwent the refit to become the Great Ark. The lead scientist of the project is Dr. Henry Klimpt. Many theories exist what The Drawers are, and what is their purpose, raging from extrajudicial imprisonment to medical experiments.
It is ultimately revealed by Melanie Cavill that The Drawers should serve as humanity's lifeboat, last hope for survival. 400 souls, pre-selected by secret list would be put into suspended animation if resource crash or other issues became inevitable.[1]
Technology

Little is known about how the technology of The Drawers works. All that is known that its some kind of drug-induced suspended animation.[2] While presumably the "frozen" bodies age much slower, they still grow hair and nails. Suspension drug is yellow liquid kept in plastic bags and is used in the creation of Kronole. Patients frozen in The Drawers require lengthy "waking up" procedure before they fully regain consequent. The longest occupant was Nikki Genêt which was frozen for over two years. Waking her up from the suspended animation proved difficult, as she suffered many side effects that appear as similar to Kronole withdrawal effects. Jinju Seong also speculated that unfrozen patients may suffer locked-in-syndrome.
Interior
Known occupants:
Appearances
Season 1
Trivia
- Many fans speculated that Mr. Wilford will ultimately be in the Drawers.
- Dr. Klimpt sold the suspension drug on Black Market to acquire aftercare products for his sleepers.
Gallery
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Interior
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Interior
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Blueprint