Half-Arsed History QAH Episode 121: A Brief History of the Guillotine
Jul 30, 2025
Dive into the dark history of the guillotine, a device infamous for its role in the French Revolution. Discover its origins from earlier execution methods and the misconceptions surrounding its namesake. Explore the moral debates on capital punishment and efforts for reform, alongside the guillotine's evolution into a symbol of equality amid chaos. The chilling concept of lingering consciousness after decapitation adds a haunting twist, leaving listeners to ponder the true implications of this notorious device.
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Origins of Early Guillotines
- Early guillotine devices date back to at least the 1500s and differ from the French Revolution version.
- They used heavy axe heads requiring horses to lift the blade, showing the evolution of execution technology.
Horse Executes Its Thief
- In the Scottish Maiden, horses were used to release the blade by pulling a peg if the prisoner was a horse thief.
- This meant the horse executed its own would-be thief, a unique justice facet.
Guillotin's Vision for Equality
- Joseph-Ignace Guillotin did not invent the guillotine but advocated for a humane, egalitarian execution method.
- His aim was to make executions quick and dull to diminish public interest and oppose the death penalty.