'Pedoscope' shoe-fitting X-ray viewer

Made:
1948-1953 in St Albans
maker:
Pedoscope Company Limited
Pedoscope, by The Pedoscope Co. Ltd., St. Albans, Herts, circa 1950. Three quarter front view. Dark grey background. Pedoscope, by The Pedoscope Co. Ltd., St. Albans, Herts, circa 1950. Three quarter detail view. Black background.

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Pedoscope, by The Pedoscope Co. Ltd., St. Albans, Herts, circa 1950. Three quarter front view. Dark grey background.
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Pedoscope, by The Pedoscope Co. Ltd., St. Albans, Herts, circa 1950. Three quarter detail view. Black background.
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Pedoscope, by the Pedoscope Company Limited, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England, 1948-1953

This machine presented a picture of the bones in your foot and an outline of your shoes. Although there was little evidence to suggest that these devices would help you find perfectly fitting shoes, they were a fairly common sight in shoe shops from the 1930s to the 1960s.

Their use declined after scientists began to understand the risks associated with excessive exposure to X-rays.

Look closer

Pedoscope

Details

Category:
Radiomedicine
Object Number:
1985-774
Materials:
aluminium (metal), asbestos, brass (copper, zinc alloy), copper (metal), cotton (textile), cotton (thread), electronic components, mahogany (wood), perspex (plastic), plastic (unidentified) and steel (metal)
Measurements:
Overall: 980 mm x 550 mm x 420 mm, 50 kg
type:
pedoscope
taxonomy:
  • furnishing and equipment
  • tools & equipment
  • fluoroscope
credit:
Ferguson's Footwear