Electrocardiograph, London, England, 1970-1990
An electrocardiograph produces ‘traces’ or visual graphical records of electrical activity in a person’s heart. The records are called electrocardiograms or ECGs and are examined by physicians for irregularities indicating disease, birth defects or heart attacks. This example was made by the Cardiac Recorders Ltd and used at the London School of Tropical Medicine. Around 1903, Dutch physiologist Willem Einthoven (1860-1927) invented the string galvanometer. This made electrocardiography possible. Einthoven won a Nobel Prize for his invention.
Object number:
1992-561
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: electrocardiograph
used to record the electrical activity of the heart
Glossary: cardiology
The study of diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels.