Electroencephalogram (EEG) pen recorder, Chicago, United States, 1958

Made:
1958 in Chicago
maker:
Offner Electronics Incorporated

Type T Dynograph portable 8 channel EEG pen recorder manufactured by Offner in 1958 and used at the Burden Neurological Institute. The instrument employs direct coupled amplifiers enabling recording of steady potentials and transients. 8 double ganged 24 way switches enable any two of 24 electrodes to be connected to each of the 8 channels.

The Type T Dynograph created an electroencephalogram. This is a recording of electrical signals within the brain. The recorder was manufactured and used at the Burden Neurological Institute (BNI). During research, areas of the brain were stimulated and electrical signals recorded by placing insulated stainless steel electrodes directly into the brain. 24 electrodes were connected to each of the eight channels within the pen recorder. The recorder gave a paper read-out of brain activity.

The BNI used this instrument to create the first EEG of an epileptic brain in 1958 (see 2001-193). The BNI was founded by Rosa Burden in 1939. Her husband, the Reverend Burden, had previously set up the first national hospital for mental and psychiatric disorders. The BNI remains an independently-funded research unit specialising in the human nervous system and human neurological disorders. The device was made by Offner in the US.

Details

Category:
Psychology, Psychiatry & Anthropometry
Object Number:
2001-181
Materials:
metal and plastic
Measurements:
overall: 420 mm x 480 mm x 260 mm,
type:
eeg pen recorder
credit:
The Burden Neurological Institute

Parts

Electroencephalogram (EEG) pen recorder

Electroencephalogram (EEG) pen recorder

Control unit for Type T Dynograph portable 8 channel EEG pen recorder manufactured by Offner in 1958 and used at the Burden Neurological Institute. The instrument employs direct coupled amplifiers enabling recording of steady potentials and transients. 8 double ganged 24 way switches enable any two of 24 electrodes to be connected to each of the 8 channels.

Measurements:
overall: 17 kg
Materials:
metal and plastic
Object Number:
2001-181/1
type:
eeg
Printer for electroencephalogram (EEG) pen recorder

Printer for electroencephalogram (EEG) pen recorder

Printer unit for Type T Dynograph portable 8 channel EEG pen recorder manufactured by Offner in 1958 and used at the Burden Neurological Institute. The instrument employs direct coupled amplifiers enabling recording of steady potentials and transients. 8 double ganged 24 way switches enable any two of 24 electrodes to be connected to each of the 8 channels.

Measurements:
overall: 24 kg
Materials:
metal and plastic
Object Number:
2001-181/2
type:
eeg
Paper feeder for electroencephalogram (EEG) pen recorder

Paper feeder for electroencephalogram (EEG) pen recorder

Paper feed unit for Type T Dynograph portable 8 channel EEG pen recorder; this component was manufactured at the Burden Neurological Institute to allow for recording at multiple speeds in order to reveal different aspects of the EEG waveform.

Measurements:
overall: 420 mm x 480 mm x 260 mm,
Materials:
metal and plastic
Object Number:
2001-181/3
type:
eeg pen recorder
Head box for electroencephalogram (EEG) pen recorder

Head box for electroencephalogram (EEG) pen recorder

Head box for Type T Dynograph portable 8 channel EEG pen recorder, manufactured by Offner in 1958 and used at the Burden Neurological Institute. This connected the machine to the electrodes on the patient; the very long cord meant the control unit and printer could be located in an adjacent room.

Measurements:
overall: 420 mm x 480 mm x 260 mm,
Materials:
metal and plastic
Object Number:
2001-181/4
type:
eeg pen recorder
Mains lead, electroencephalogram (EEG) pen recorder

Mains lead, electroencephalogram (EEG) pen recorder

Mains lead for Type T Dynograph portable 8 channel EEG pen recorder, manufactured by Offner in 1958 and used at the Burden Neurological Institute.

Measurements:
overall: 420 mm x 480 mm x 260 mm,
Materials:
metal and plastic
Object Number:
2001-181/5
type:
eeg pen recorder
Connecting cable for electroencephalogram (EEG) pen recorder

Connecting cable for electroencephalogram (EEG) pen recorder

Cable for connecting control unit to printer unit of Type T Dynograph portable 8 channel EEG pen recorder, manufactured by Offner in 1958 and used at the Burden Neurological Institute.

Measurements:
overall: 420 mm x 480 mm x 260 mm,
Materials:
metal and plastic
Object Number:
2001-181/6
type:
eeg pen recorder
Dust cover for electroencephalogram (EEG) pen recorder

Dust cover for electroencephalogram (EEG) pen recorder

Dust cover for control unit of Type T Dynograph portable 8 channel EEG pen recorder, manufactured by Offner in 1958 and used at the Burden Neurological Institute. Fabric has shrunk with time and no longer fits.

Measurements:
overall: 420 mm x 480 mm x 260 mm,
Materials:
cloth and plastic
Object Number:
2001-181/7
type:
eeg pen recorder
Dust cover for electroencephalogram (EEG) pen recorder

Dust cover for electroencephalogram (EEG) pen recorder

Dust cover for printer unit of Type T Dynograph portable 8 channel EEG pen recorder, manufactured by Offner in 1958 and used at the Burden Neurological Institute. Fabric has shrunk with time and no longer fits.

Measurements:
overall: 420 mm x 480 mm x 260 mm,
Materials:
cloth and plastic
Object Number:
2001-181/8
type:
eeg pen recorder