It's probably safe to assume if you're reading an article on our web site that you know what an endoscope is, right?

From Merriam-Webster.com
"an illuminated usually fiber-optic flexible or rigid tubular instrument for visualizing the interior of a hollow organ or part (such as the bladder or esophagus) for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes that typically has one or more channels to enable passage of instruments (such as forceps or scissors)"

But do you know about their origins? We thought it might be fun to dig into just a few of the notable historical milestones of this remarkable device considering we sell refurbished endoscopes and so many related products.

The earliest origins of laparoscopy are not completely clear, but Hippocrates described a rectal speculum that looks similar to those used today as early as 460-375 BC. Roman medical documents also describe medical instruments that were used to inspect internal organs during this same period. And astoundingly the first historical evidence of a device that attempted to look into the human body was found in the ruins of Pompeii during the ancient Greek and Roman periods. It was a three bladed vaginal speculum.

But Phillip Bozzini, in 1805 reportedly attempted the first internal observation of a living human being. The tube he created was called the Lichtleiter. Lichtleiter translated means "light conductor". Believe it or not it used candlelight and mirrors to cast light at the area being viewed. He used it to examine a urinary tract, rectum and pharynx. From there, in 1853, a Frenchman named Antoine Jean Desomeauz created the first device that was specially designed to examine the urinary tract and bladder. This device was named the endoscope.The Greek prefix "Endo" means "within", or "inside". So it makes sense that this prefix stuck.

In 1868 a German doctor named Adolph Kussmaul successfully looked inside the stomach of a living human being. It was actually tested on a sword swallower.

But as you might imagine, these instruments could not have been overly successful as there was no effective lighting mechanisms as the electric lightbulb hadn't been created yet. With that in mind, the first endoscopes that resemble what we have today were not created until 1967 after the fiber-optic cable was invented.

Endoscope Milestones

1806 |Phillip Bozini| Candle illuminated reflecting light utilizing a mirror.
1853|Antonin Desmoreaux|Coined term "Endoscopy" He used a kerosene lamp with a mirror.
1858|Nepomuk Czermak| First endoscopic image
1910| Hans Christian Jacobaeus | First published laparoscopy

Today there are endoscopes that are customized for virtually every part of the body allowing photos to be taken, tissue samples and growths removed. An amazing time in history to be alive wouldn't you say!