"PED-O-JET"

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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Multidose Jet Injection Apparatus, known as "PED-O-JET", hydraulically powered, with carrying case, by Scientific Equipment Manufacturing Corp, New York, U.S.A., 1970-1975

Developed in the 1960s, inoculation guns were used to vaccinate large numbers of people very quickly – up to a thousand people could be treated every hour. Instead of using a needle, the vaccine was forced through the skin at high pressures created using a foot pump.

However, the Ped-O-Jet was expensive and needed regular maintenance, which was not always available. Initially seen as a major weapon in the drive to eradicate smallpox globally, the guns were eventually replaced in favour of simple bifurcated needles.

Most mass inoculation guns of this type would later be withdrawn because of concerns about cross infection. This example was made by Scientific Equipment Manufacturing Corporation.

Details

Category:
Public Health & Hygiene
Object Number:
1990-274
Materials:
metal (unknown), plastic (unidentified), canvas and rubber (unidentified)
Measurements:
case: 170 mm x 320 mm x 340 mm,
type:
inoculation apparatus
credit:
Wellcome Foundation Limited (Langley Crt)

Parts

Case for multidose Jet Injection Apparatus

Case for multidose Jet Injection Apparatus

Case for multidose Jet Injection Apparatus, known as "PED-O-JET", hydraulically powered, by Scientific Equipment Manufacturing Corp, New York, U.S.A., 1970-1975

Measurements:
case: length 340 mm
case: width 320 mm
case: height 170 mm
Materials:
canvas (textile) , metal (unknown) , plastic (unidentified) and rubber (unidentified)
Object Number:
1990-274 Pt1
type:
case
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Ped-O-Jet Mass Inoculation Gun

Ped-O-Jet Mass Inoculation Gun

Multidose Jet Injection Apparatus, known as 'PED-O-JET', hydraulically powered, by Scientific Equipment Manufacturing Corp, New York, U.S.A., 1970-1975

More

Developed in the 1960s, inoculation guns were used to vaccinate large numbers of people very quickly – up to a thousand people could be treated every hour. Instead of using a needle, the vaccine was forced through the skin at high pressures created using a foot pump.

However, the Ped-O-Jet was expensive and needed regular maintenance, which was not always available. Initially seen as a major weapon in the drive to eradicate smallpox globally, the guns were eventually replaced in favour of simple bifurcated needles.

Most mass inoculation guns of this type would later be withdrawn because of concerns about cross infection. This example was made by Scientific Equipment Manufacturing Corporation.

Measurements:
overall: 50 mm x 245 mm x 200 mm,
case: 170 mm x 320 mm x 340 mm,
Materials:
metal (unknown) , steel (metal) , iron and (possibly) aluminium
Object Number:
1990-274 Pt2
type:
inoculation gun
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Accessories for multidose Jet Injection Apparatus

Accessories for multidose Jet Injection Apparatus

Accessories for multidose Jet Injection Apparatus, known as 'PED-O-JET', hydraulically powered, by Scientific Equipment Manufacturing Corp, New York, U.S.A., 1970-1975

Object Number:
1990-274/3
type:
accessories
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum