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Photographs

Beckman Model D Oxygen Meter in use with an infant's incubator

  • Circa 1959

Rights

Public Domain

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This nurse is monitoring the oxygen levels of a prematurely born infant in an incubator, to provide just the right oxygen mixture. Too little oxygen has obvious repercussions, but until the 1950s doctors did not realize that too much oxygen caused retrolental fibroplasia, resulting in blindness.

Developed from a Linus Pauling design during WWII, the technology behind Beckman Instruments’ oxygen analyzers ended up doing such diverse jobs as monitoring astronauts’ respiration, maintaining packaged food safety, and preventing blindness in newborn babies.

Property Value
Photographer
Format
Genre
Extent
  • 10 in. W x 8 in. L
Inscription
  • (verso) "Kassler Studios, 1621 East Washington St, Pasadena 7, CA"
Subject
Rights Public Domain Mark 1.0
Credit line
  • Courtesy of Science History Institute

Institutional location

Department
Collection
Series arrangement
  • Series X. Photographic Materials
  • Sub-series 1. Image Files
Physical container
  • Box 59, Folder 29

View collection guide View in library catalog

Related Items

Cite as

Kassler Studios. “Beckman Model D Oxygen Meter in Use with an Infant's Incubator,” circa 1959. Beckman Historical Collection, Box 59, Folder 29. Science History Institute. Philadelphia. https://digital.sciencehistory.org/works/5d86p027h.

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The Science History Institute recognizes there are materials in our collections that may be offensive or harmful, containing racist, sexist, Eurocentric, ableist, or homophobic language or depictions. The history of science is not exempt from beliefs or practices harmful to traditionally marginalized groups. The Institute is engaged in ongoing efforts to responsibly present and address the evidence of oppression and injustice inextricable from the history of science. If you would like to learn more about our ongoing efforts or if you encounter harmful, inaccurate, or insufficient descriptions, please contact us at digital@sciencehistory.org.