Rare Antique Early 20th Century ‘Mackenzie Ink Polygraph’ c.1910
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A Rare Antique Early 20th Century Ink Polygraph.
Invented by Dr James Mackenzie who was a heart surgeon. He publicised his ‘ink polygraph’ machine in 1902, but it was not produced commercially until about 1910.
A diary belonging to Mackenzie was discovered a few years ago in the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford dating from 1905. It details the life of a doctor at the time, but also refers to his ‘new method’ of diagnosis. However, it was not until he moved to London in 1907 that he made his name as an authority on pain and heart disease.
He used this piece of equipment when giving medical examinations. It was used to record the pulse and movements of the heart. It was designed to help diagnose and study cardiac arrhythmias and other heart conditions. It was revolutionary at the time for making invisible heart irregularities visible on paper.
A polygraph machine is also used as a basic lie detector test. A polygraph detects physical changes in the body to determine when a person is stressed, which is an indication of lying. And, although this was not used to detect lies at that time, it did inspire the later development of forensic polygraphs.
Condition is good, commensurate with age and use. Looks to be missing some pieces, but almost all of the most important pieces appear to be there. It winds up and still works. Ink remnants on pads.
Weighs 1850 grams