| Baring the sole. The rise and fall of the shoe-fitting fluoroscope. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 10967875 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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One of the most conspicuous nonmedical uses of the x-ray was the shoe-fitting fluoroscope. It allowed visualization of the bones and soft tissues of the foot inside a shoe, purportedly increasing the accuracy of shoe fitting and thereby enhancing sales. From the mid 1920s to the 1950s, shoe-fitting fluoroscopes were a prominent feature of shoe stores in North America and Europe. Despite the widespread distribution and popularity of these machines, few have studied their history. In this essay we trace the origin, technology, applications, and significance of the shoe-fitting fluoroscope in Britain, Canada, and the United States. Our sources include medical and industrial literature, oral and written testimony of shoe retailers, newspapers, magazines, and government reports on the uses and dangers of these machines. The public response to shoe-fitting fluoroscopes changed from initial enthusiasm and trust to suspicion and fear, in conjunction with shifting cultural attitudes to radiation technologies. |
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Authors:
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J Duffin; C R Hayter |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Historical Article; Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Isis; an international review devoted to the history of science and its cultural influences Volume: 91 ISSN: 0021-1753 ISO Abbreviation: Isis Publication Date: 2000 Jun |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2000-09-20 Completed Date: 2000-09-20 Revised Date: 2007-11-15 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 2985182R Medline TA: Isis Country: UNITED STATES |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 260-82 Citation Subset: IM; Q |
Affiliation:
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Hannah Chair of the History of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Advertising as Topic
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history Attitude to Health Canada Fluoroscopy / history* Great Britain History, 20th Century Humans Industry / history* Radiation Protection / history Shoes / history* United States |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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