Guillotine

Introduction to Guillotine

Guillotine, decapitating machine, named after a French physician, Joseph Ignace Guillotin, who proposed its use in 1789. It consists of two upright posts, grooved on the inside and connected at the top by a crossbeam. A sharp, oblique blade, placed between the grooves, is held at the top of the machine by a rope. On release of the rope, the blade drops onto the neck of the victim strapped to a board at the base of the machine. Similar execution devices were known before the guillotine, which was used largely during the French Revolution.” (1)

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Notes and References

• Information about Guillotine in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to Guillotine