Robert F. Borkenstein's Breathalyzer

Description:

Robert F. Borkenstein's Breathalyzer, Model 900. Borkenstein developed this device for use in police stations with the advantage that it was easy and simple enough for police to use, and they saved time and expense as they didn’t need a physician to come in, and didn’t have to take the suspect to the hospital for a phlebotomist to draw blood. People would blow into balloons and that air in the balloons was later tested, which was the primary method for evidentiary breath testing through for several decades, 1960s-80s. This was an inexpensive way to test intoxication and meant that BAC (blood alcohol content) could be used as evidence. This particular machine was owned by Borkenstein, who gave it to Robert Voas.

Location: Currently not on view

See more items in: Work and Industry: Transportation, Road

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 2014.0301.01Catalog Number: 2014.0301.01Accession Number: 2014.0301

Object Name: breath alcohol testerbreath alcohol testerbreath alcohol testerBreathalyzer

Physical Description: metal (overall material)Measurements: overall: 10 1/8 in x 8 3/8 in x 7 3/4 in; 25.7175 cm x 21.2725 cm x 19.685 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746b2-e24d-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1762475

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