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Medical Technology History
History of medical devices: A Narrative on the Stethoscope
Each issue, we will select a medical device in history, even though it may not be found today, it
showed promise during its time. Shall we begin...
A stethoscope was a device used for diagnosing cardiovascular disease. I recall 10 years ago in
a busy waiting room with my oldest daughter there was a young pediatric physician who was trying
to calm her nerves by explaining the history of the stethoscope. He said, this is a tool that “Seth
made.” In 1860, the very first one was built from a cedar or pine wood, was as short as 5.9 inches
(15 centimeters) in length, and connected by three pieces resembles the conical bore of a trumpet.
In that time-period, this medical device was used to listen directly to patients chests and physicians
would try to assess cardiac health.
Photo by Howard Hughes Medical Institute