History of the thermometer

Mercury and alcohol thermometers are made of glass. The liquid within the thermometer increases in size when the temperature rises and contracts as it cools. Traditional thermometers when comparing them to the electric ones are less reliable. Digital thermometers give you instant temperature reading. They work on a different system though. They have a voltage across its metal probe and the current that flows through it is measured. Notwithstanding, the numbers in digital thermometers may vary a lot making it hard to obtain an accurate temperature reading. Infrared or IR thermometers are more advanced and accurate. This thermometer can be aimed at things with temperature similar to the air. For instance: a leaf, desk, paper etc. Non-contact thermometers use Plank’s Law to measure temperature. Anything material above the absolute zero radiates infrared. The sensor collects tiny amounts of energy radiated from the target and goes through a process to convert the energy until it gives you a temperature reading in the twinkle of an eye. How do we know the sun’s visible layer (photosphere) is 11,000°F? That’s how powerful these sensors are.

Who invented the thermometer?

Thermometers are a compilation of work of many people throughout the years. Galileo Galilei (1564–1642) invented a rudimentary water thermometer in 1593 and temperature variations were measured for the first time. Italian inventor Santorio Santorio (1561–1636), who belonged to a group of Venetian scientists, was the first inventor to put a numerical scale on it. The accuracy of this thermometer wasn’t good since the variance in air pressure was not taken into consideration. In 1654 the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Ferdinand II (1610-1670) produced the first sealed liquid-in-glass thermometer. In 1714, Gabriel Fahrenheit invented the first mercury thermometer called thermoscope. This thermometer was much more accurate. Swedish scientist Anders Celsius (1701-1744) came up with the idea of a thermometer scale in 1741 dividing the freezing and boiling points of water into 100 degrees. Jean Pierre Cristin (1683-1755) produced later on the Centigrade scale used today. In the 1800 Sir William Herschel came up with the idea of using infrared to measure temperature. David Phillips, almost two centuries later, invented the first infrared ear thermometer. However, non-contact infrared thermometers are more reliable. They are now available in the market. It takes less than 500 mSec to take your body temperature with a non-contact thermometer.

How toxic is mercury from a thermometer?

Mercury is released into the air when burned. That’s the reason why isn’t advisable to dispose your mercury thermometers in the regular trash. It can also transpire into the groundwater or can be released into the air as a toxic vapor. Mercury droplets can emit vapors into the air that we cannot see or smell. Mercury is also found in thermostats, and fluorescent light bulbs. Mercury vapors are very harmful. Some families have been poisoned from mercury spills. The highest risk for mercury poisoning is found in small children and pregnant women. However, it can affect anyone. Never allow mercury to go down the drain, don’t use households cleaning products (they may react with mercury), and don’t use a broom (it’ll break it into smaller beads & scatter it). For big spills call a professional.

Your immune system reacts to mercury and as a result you may get more colds than usual each winter. Mercury could be very harmful as it can cause neurological, cardiac, gastrointestinal complications. Mercury concentrates to target tissues in your body facilitating the increase of many diseases. To facilitate a total recovery from mercury poisoning mercury most be completed removed from the body. As long as it remains there you’ll not get any better.

It’s more advisable taking your temperature with a non-contact thermometer as it makes you safe from this harmful chemical. Also, the virus stops spreading from person to person due to its touch free capability.

How do you read a thermometer?

That depends on what kind of thermometer do you have. Digital thermometers are used in the mouth, rectum, or armpit. Ear thermometers (infrared) are for 6 months of age or older and have a small ear probe which is inserted gently into the ear canal. Glass thermometers are the less safe ones. Mercury is toxic. Therefore mercury thermometers aren’t safe to use. Touch free thermometers are the best option.

Temperature is taken from the forehead in less than a second. These devices also read temperature of an object or room. It’s extremely hygienic as it       controls the spread of illnesses by its touch free method. The thermometer is aimed at the patient’s forehead above the right eye (right temple) and it instantly displays and speaks the  temperature. The infrared heat generated by the arterial blood flow facilitates an accurate temperature measurement.