We tend to assume that the baby ear thermometer is relatively modern invention.  Although current devices are significantly different from the original baby ear thermometer they were in fact invented in 1964 by Dr. Theodor H. Benzinger, who died in 1999 aged 94.  Dr. Benzinger was a researcher in at the Naval Medical Research Institute and his aim was try and establish a better way of monitoring core body temperature by determining the temperature of the hypothalamus (the part of the brain responsible for controlling core body temperature).  Previously the only way of achieving this was to implant electrodes into the hypothalamus itself (in fact Dr. Benzinger is rumored to have had electrodes implanted into his own hypothalamus as part of his research!).  He established that the ear canal was an excellent location to determine core body temperature as the ear drum shares blood vessels with the hypothalamus.  Other inventions included the microcalorimeter and human microcalorimeter.  Dr. Benzinger also made a significant contribution to establishing the field of biothermodynamics.  He served as a test pilot during the war and also established that air embolisms play a significant role in death by explosion.  For more information you can read his obituary here.

When looking at modern devices we often forget to appreciate their routes.  The baby ear thermometer is now 45 years old but it is only recently that it has become common place for use in the home.

Filed under: General

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!