In 1885 the first seatbelt patent was granted to Edward Claghorn, as a way to keep tourists safe in New York City as they rode in taxis. In 1961, Wisconsin became the first state to require seatbelts in new cars. In 1968, both lap and shoulder belts were mandated in all new automobiles. However, it…
One of the hottest media topics (pun intended) over the last few years has been the effects of climate change on earth, the potential causes of those changes, and what we can do about them. Climate change traditionally has been assessed by taking specimens from the earth. A hollow tube is sunk deep into glacial ice…
During both brain and spine surgery, we use electrocautery to control bleeding. Bipolar cautery creates a circuit between the forcep tips, and the electric current flows smoothly between the active and return electrode. Only minimal and focal patient tissue, in between the tips, is exposed to the current. Monopolar cautery, however, creates a circuit between…
The ubiquitous ability of duct tape to fix anything has been common knowledge since World War II. It was originally made of cotton duck fabric (not from real ducks) and repelled water like a duck’s feathers, so it nicely fits its moniker. Duct tape was easy to apply and remove by hand, making it extraordinarily…