Production year
1922
© Fonds historique / CNRS Images
Reference
19000001_0405
Polygonal lamp on December 23rd, 1922
Polygonal lamp on December 23rd, 1922. This polygonal lamp invented by Doctor Aron Polack provided a simple and inexpensive solution to the problem of lighting the operating field. It ensured that no shadows formed by the surgeon’s hands and instruments would obstruct his vision or hinder his work. The lamp resembled a "luminous crown" placed above the operating theater. It was composed of light bulbs (long cylindrical tubes with a single filament) arranged in a polygonal shape attached with special sockets. The top half of each tube was painted silver or covered with a cylindrical reflector in order to better focus and direct the light. The polygonal device was symmetrically suspended above the operating theater using a cable and counterweight. Illuminating the space from all sides equally, the light balanced out and prevented shadows. Office national des recherches scientifiques et industrielles et des inventions.
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