www.mddus.com


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it, but perhaps it is time to create a modern version of the old toothbrush club? The museum also tells the story of individual dentists who left their mark on history, including the rather unlucky George Harrington. In 1864 Harrington invented the first clockwork drill (image 1 left) and called it “Erado” (from the Latin meaning ‘I Scrape Out’). Whilst it was a vast improvement on the hand drill, its hand-wound mechanism only ran for two minutes and it was heavy, noisy, vibrated too much and was awkward as it required both hands to operate. Harrington improved the design and in 1870 decided to take it to the US, then at the forefront of dental practice. The story goes that whilst at sea, Harrington received a telegram saying American dentist James Morrison had just invented the foot pedal-powered treadle drill.


Faster, quieter, needing only one hand to use and lasting as long as the dentist could pedal for, the treadle drill ended Harrington’s design ambitions. Whilst this was good news for patients, it is impossible to look upon Harrington’s drill and not feel a sense of loss that his design so quickly became a footnote in dental history.


The British Dental Association Museum is situated in the BDA offices at 64 Wimpole Street, London, W1G 8YS and is open Tuesdays and Thursdays 1pm to 4pm. For more information, and to view our online collections, visit www.bda.org/museum


Jason Finch is Head of Museum Services at the BDA (providing maternity cover for Rachel Bairsto).


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The clockwork drill invented by George Harrington


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A 19th century student dentist's instrument box with six leather lined drawers. It cost 273 shillings in 1875, the equivalent of £1,000 today


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Edward H Angle's Head Gear, extra- oral appliance


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A 19th century phantom head with 24 natural teeth


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Anaesthetic inhaler designed in 1877 by John Clover. It was the first device to regulate the amount of anaesthetic a patient inhaled


PHOTOGRAPHS: BDA MUSEUM


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