I know this sounds really morbid, but...I saw a blurb online recently about this month marking the 30th anniversary of the last execution by guillotine in France, and I got to wondering, why is the blade slanted on a guillotine instead of just a straight edge? Does it have something to do with increased efficiency in decapitating a person?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamida_Djandoubi
2007-09-16 16:37:06 · 8 answers · asked by Michael S 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
I think I found your answer:
"An oblique blade cuts more like a slicing sword and is more effective than a straight edged axe which chrushes the neck of it's victim. The first guillotine had a straight or axe shaped blade. However during trials on cadavers it became clear that a better solution to the straight blade had to be found.
Thus the idea of an oblique blade was implemented before the first real execution."
http://www.metaphor.dk/guillotine/pages/FAQ.html
2007-09-16 16:49:22 · answer #1 · answered by kepjr100 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Guillotine Blade
2016-11-09 21:46:43 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oui, Monsiere ve shall demonstrate with a Cucumber - - - to slice it properly rest the point of the blade on Ze cutting Board and roll Ze Blade down on the cucumber thus slicing it rather that crushing eeeett...""
(Sorry just love using my faux French accent)
KPR etc is correct - - - the man who invented the Guilotine was a Doctor seeking a More Humane Method of Killing and being a Scientific-Doctor he thought out his proposal and ran a few test on cadavers ..
Actually the science of killing has been driven by Doctors seeking more humane methods of killing, though one could argue that the Germans who invented poison gas were seeking efficiency - - - - but electrocution was mistakenly thought to be quick & humane and now in 2007 there are lethal injections despite the objection of doctors who insist that a simple series of pills can kill more humanely & cleanly .
Quite obviously 'justice' demands a show of killing and for the sheer joy of killing 'bad' people the blade holds supreme. That gleaming blade set at a jaunty angle or a skillful man/woman with sword or axe what more can one ask of justice?
Peace...............
2007-09-16 17:31:09 · answer #3 · answered by JVHawai'i 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It did increase the efficiency, however when Dr. Guillotin constructed it the blade was straight. It went through several revisions before it was found acceptable by Louis XV!, who by the way was the one who made the final revision.
gatita_63109
2007-09-16 18:33:17 · answer #4 · answered by gatita 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the blade has a heavy weight behind it and the angled blade is more efficient as the weight is concentrated on a small part of the neck as it slices through.
2007-09-16 18:28:05 · answer #5 · answered by brainstorm 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The angled blade provided a bit of slicing action instead of a simple chop. However it was still not completely effective and sometimes required several drops to go through.
2007-09-16 17:48:32 · answer #6 · answered by rohak1212 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would guess it would be the most efficient design. The smallest surface area of the blade would hit the soft part of the neck, cut through before hitting the spine, and then through the rest of the soft tissue.
2007-09-16 16:45:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
actually so they can make a more accurate cut. I don't wish to gross any one out
2007-09-16 16:46:41 · answer #8 · answered by jaspers mom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋