Mackenzie's first polygraph, in case, complete

Made:
England
Mackenzie's first polygraph, in case, complete

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© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Mackenzie's first polygraph, in case, complete

Details

Category:
Clinical Diagnosis
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A55288
Materials:
body, metal, case, leather, covered and tubing, rubber
type:
polygraphs
credit:
Mackenzie

Parts

James Mackenzie’s first polygraph, United Kingdom, 1906-1910

British heart surgeon Dr James Mackenzie (1853-1925) developed this ink-writing polygraph in 1906. A tambour (a rubber diaphragm) is placed over a vein in the neck, with while another one is placed on the arterial pulse in the wrist. The movements of these vessels vibrate the diaphragms. These transmit the waves through rubber tubing to two recording arms which record the pulse as continuous lines on paper. It detected problems such as an irregular heartbeat.

Polygraphs were also used as lie detectors. Physiologists found lying could cause physical changes such as a faster heartbeat or increased sweating. Mackenzie’s polygraph measured and recorded these changes.

Measurements:
overall: 90 mm x 270 mm
Materials:
metal and rubber
Object Number:
A55288 Pt1
type:
polygraph
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum