Scalpel Handle (2019.06.011)
Dublin Core
Title
Scalpel Handle (2019.06.011)
Subject
Nebraska State Tuberculosis Hospital, Scalpel Handle, Dr. Burton Bancroft, Artifact
Description
Metal scalpel handle with centimeter marks on one side. Used as a handle for scalpel blades.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: There is information about Dr. Burton Bancroft in the Frank Museum archives, as well as in the paper accession record. AW ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This device is a scalpel handle. It is not a scalpel itself. The scalpel blades are attached to the handle and are locked in place. This particular scalpel handle is called the “Bard-Parker Safety Lock Surgical Blade System” and is still being sold with little changes today (2022). Scalpels have existed almost as long as humans have been doing surgery, with ancient humans using sharpened rocks, bamboo, and sticks as far back as 10000 BCE. They were used for a variety of surgeries, such as lancing, venesection, and trepanation. They were also used in sacrifices. Hippocrates, the prominent ancient Greek physician, was the first to describe and use a scalpel vaguely in the shape of a modern one. The first scalpels made of metal appeared in the 3000 BCEs. Roman doctors would soon spread the idea of using these scalpels for surgeries. Rome was known for creating fine swords, so the process of making fine blades was translated to scalpels. Though scalpels continued to be used since, the dark ages/middle ages saw its advancements in medicine halt due to religious fanaticism. Still, the scalpel saw some improvement from the Islamic world and from the cutlery world of Europe. As the industrial revolution began, so too did scalpels begin to be mass-produced at a higher quality. Scalpels previously had ornate designs, but mass-production, as well as the need to heat-treat scalpels as an earlier form of sterilization, saw an end to this practice. Scalpels that use a two piece system (a handle and disposable blades like this one) were first invented in 1905, but the modern incarnation of them was invented in 1915 by Morgan Parker, an engineer. The invention used a set of standardized disposable blades that could easily be replaced, and was revolutionary for the time. Parker partnered with Charles Bard, a medicine distributor, with the approval of the American College of Surgeons, to mass produce his system and the blade, leading to the creation of the Bard-Parker blade. Though today the Bard-Parker company is no more, the companies that produce the blade still use the company’s name on the scalpel, with many calling it the “BP scalpel”. Since then, the BP scalpel and its blades have become highly standardized, with doctors only using blades once before removing and disposing of them. It’s likely Bancroft would have followed these procedures. Information gathered from: The American Surgeon (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epdf/10.1177/000313481408001219) The American College of Surgeons (https://bulletin.facs.org/2018/02/the-history-of-the-scalpel-from-flint-to-zirconium-coated-steel/)Patent Earth (https://www.patentearth.com/blog/post/history-of-the-scalpel-the-original-surgical-instrument.html) Qlicksmart (https://www.qlicksmart.com/surgical-scalpel-history-best-thing/?cn-reloaded=1&cn-reloaded=1) Avantor (https://us.vwr.com/store/product/4637625/bard-parker-safetylocktm-rib-backtm-scalpel-blades-sterile-aspen-surgical) Aspen Surgical (https://www.aspensurgical.com/products/surgical-essentials/blades-scalpels/conventional-handles/bard-parker-surgical-blade-handle/). Information compiled by Logan Osmera.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: There is information about Dr. Burton Bancroft in the Frank Museum archives, as well as in the paper accession record. AW ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This device is a scalpel handle. It is not a scalpel itself. The scalpel blades are attached to the handle and are locked in place. This particular scalpel handle is called the “Bard-Parker Safety Lock Surgical Blade System” and is still being sold with little changes today (2022). Scalpels have existed almost as long as humans have been doing surgery, with ancient humans using sharpened rocks, bamboo, and sticks as far back as 10000 BCE. They were used for a variety of surgeries, such as lancing, venesection, and trepanation. They were also used in sacrifices. Hippocrates, the prominent ancient Greek physician, was the first to describe and use a scalpel vaguely in the shape of a modern one. The first scalpels made of metal appeared in the 3000 BCEs. Roman doctors would soon spread the idea of using these scalpels for surgeries. Rome was known for creating fine swords, so the process of making fine blades was translated to scalpels. Though scalpels continued to be used since, the dark ages/middle ages saw its advancements in medicine halt due to religious fanaticism. Still, the scalpel saw some improvement from the Islamic world and from the cutlery world of Europe. As the industrial revolution began, so too did scalpels begin to be mass-produced at a higher quality. Scalpels previously had ornate designs, but mass-production, as well as the need to heat-treat scalpels as an earlier form of sterilization, saw an end to this practice. Scalpels that use a two piece system (a handle and disposable blades like this one) were first invented in 1905, but the modern incarnation of them was invented in 1915 by Morgan Parker, an engineer. The invention used a set of standardized disposable blades that could easily be replaced, and was revolutionary for the time. Parker partnered with Charles Bard, a medicine distributor, with the approval of the American College of Surgeons, to mass produce his system and the blade, leading to the creation of the Bard-Parker blade. Though today the Bard-Parker company is no more, the companies that produce the blade still use the company’s name on the scalpel, with many calling it the “BP scalpel”. Since then, the BP scalpel and its blades have become highly standardized, with doctors only using blades once before removing and disposing of them. It’s likely Bancroft would have followed these procedures. Information gathered from: The American Surgeon (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epdf/10.1177/000313481408001219) The American College of Surgeons (https://bulletin.facs.org/2018/02/the-history-of-the-scalpel-from-flint-to-zirconium-coated-steel/)Patent Earth (https://www.patentearth.com/blog/post/history-of-the-scalpel-the-original-surgical-instrument.html) Qlicksmart (https://www.qlicksmart.com/surgical-scalpel-history-best-thing/?cn-reloaded=1&cn-reloaded=1) Avantor (https://us.vwr.com/store/product/4637625/bard-parker-safetylocktm-rib-backtm-scalpel-blades-sterile-aspen-surgical) Aspen Surgical (https://www.aspensurgical.com/products/surgical-essentials/blades-scalpels/conventional-handles/bard-parker-surgical-blade-handle/). Information compiled by Logan Osmera.
Date
ca. 1950s
Contributor
For all objects in accession # 2019.06: Doctor's bag, medical equipment, medicine, and other items all originally belonged to Dr. Burton Bancroft who came to Kearney is 1956 and was the first trained surgeon in the community, according to John Bancroft- Dr. Burton Bancroft's son who found the the doctor's bag in a closet. The bag contained all of the items within accession record #2019.06. Dr. Bancroft occasionally provided aid to patients at the Nebraska State Hospital for Tuberculosis in Kearney, NE.
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Metal Scalpel Handle
Collection
Citation
“Scalpel Handle (2019.06.011),” Museums and Material Culture (Fall 2023), accessed October 1, 2024, https://mail.unkpublichistory.reclaim.hosting/items/show/364.