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The Daily Insight

Who invented the chainsaw and why

Author

Eleanor Gray

Published May 03, 2026

In the late 18th century, 2 Scottish doctors, John Aitken and James Jeffray, developed a prototype of the chainsaw—familiar today in the timber industry—for symphysiotomy and the excision of diseased bone. The design of the chainsaw was based on a watch chain with teeth that moved through the use of a hand-crank.

When was the 1st chainsaw invented?

The first chainsaw was designed by German orthopaedist Bernhard Heine in 1830. He called it the osteotome, from the Greek osteo (bone) and tome or tomi (cut); literally, the bonecutter. This chainsaw, as well as many that followed, were used for medical purposes.

What is the biggest Stihl chainsaw ever made?

For the largest, toughest and most demanding jobs, professionals can find the performance they need in the MS 881 chainsaw. With its updated engine design and up to 41” guide bar length, the MS 881 is the largest, most powerful saw in the STIHL lineup.

Why was the chainsaw invented?

When babies couldn’t fit through or they would get stuck in the pelvis, parts of bone and cartridge were removed to create more space for the baby. … Two doctors invented the chainsaw in 1780 to make the removal of pelvic bone easier and less time-consuming during childbirth.

When did they stop using chainsaws for childbirth?

It lasted through much of the 19th century as part of a surgical toolbox until C-sections grew in popularity. In the 20th century, the principle was commandeered for less disturbing purposes like logging, with two-person saws weighing more than 100 pounds each. By the 1950s, those gave way to lighter models.

Who invented the first one man chainsaw?

Precursors to the chainsaw One ancestor of the modern chainsaw appeared way back in the 1830s, and it wasn’t invented to cut wood but rather to saw through bone. This instrument, known as the osteotome, is thought to have been invented by a German orthopedist named Bernhard Heine.

Who invented the first saw?

According to Chinese legend, Lu Ban – a structural engineer, carpenter and inventor during the Zhou Dynasty, is credited with discovering the saw. After cutting his hand on a leaf with a spiny texture, he was inspired to replicate the serrated edge to create a tool.

How does a chainsaw work?

Most simply put, a chainsaw works by spinning a chain of saw blades, also called “teeth”, around a guide bar quickly to cut through wood in a fast, smooth motion. … Together, the chain and guide bar are referred to as the chain assembly which is powered by the engine/motor.

Who invented the Stihl chainsaw?

Andreas Stihl built his first saw in 1926 – a 4 HP two-man electric saw. The company soon grew to eight employees.

What is a Symphysiotomy operation?

Symphysiotomy is an operation that is done to increase the size of the pelvic outlet to permit vaginal delivery of a baby. The procedure involves surgically dividing, under local anaesthesia, the cartilage of the symphysis pubis. The skin incision is 1.5–3 cm long.

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What does MS mean on STIHL chainsaws?

What does MS mean? We’ll start with an easy one. Every STIHL chainsaw model name starts with MS, MSA, or MSE. The common part, MS, stands for Motorsäge which is German for chainsaw. MSA indicates that it’s a battery chainsaw and MSE tells us that it’s an electric model.

How much does a STIHL 881 cost?

$1,969.99. The largest and most powerful chainsaw in the STIHL lineup. For the largest, toughest and most demanding jobs, professionals can find the performance they need in the MS 881 chainsaw.

What chainsaw do professional loggers use?

Stihl 500i Loggers Chainsaw. The Stihl 500i is generally seen as the ultimate logging chainsaw. It is Stihl’s top-of-the-line professional chainsaw and has been designed and built especially for the logging industry and professional arborists.

Was the chainsaw originally invented for childbirth?

Shockingly, the chainsaw was originally invented to assist in childbirth – yes, you read that correctly. Before the caesarian section became common practise, all foetuses had to pass through the birth canal. … To make the process easier, two Scots surgeons invented the chainsaw in the 18th century.

When was the petrol chainsaw invented?

In 1929, Stihl patented the first gasoline-powered chainsaw called the tree-felling machine. These were the first successful patents for hand-held mobile chainsaws designed for woodcutting. Andreas Stihl is most frequently credited as being the inventor of the mobile and motorized chainsaw.

Who invented the computer?

English mathematician and inventor Charles Babbage is credited with having conceived the first automatic digital computer. During the mid-1830s Babbage developed plans for the Analytical Engine.

When did Loggers start using chainsaws?

Most loggers first learned of the chainsaw in 1954, when salesmen began visiting logging camps to demonstrate the new equipment. Although loggers had to buy the tool out of their own pockets, chainsaws were relatively inexpensive and originally cost between $200 and $250.

When did Stihl start making chainsaws?

In 1926, Stihl designed and built the first two-person electric chain saw. Its portability revolutionized the forestry industry. Since that first chain saw launched more than 90 years ago, the STIHL name has stood for outstanding innovations, high-quality products and comprehensive service.

What does Stihl mean in English?

Filters. A type of large industrial saw, usually cordless with a petrol motor and a large circular cutting blade. noun. 2.

Where are Jonsered chainsaws made?

Where are Jonsered chainsaws made? Jonsered is part of the Husqvarna Group. While no specific information is given for where these chainsaws are manufactured, we can assume that it’s the same locations as Husqvarna chainsaws: Sweden, France, Germany, United States, China, and Brazil.

Does Stihl own echo?

The ECHO company is owned and run by the Yamabiko Corporation of Japan. It’s a well-established company that has been operating for more than 4 decades.

Who uses a chainsaw?

It is used in activities such as tree felling, limbing, bucking, pruning, cutting firebreaks in wildland fire suppression, and harvesting of firewood. Chainsaws with specially designed bar-and-chain combinations have been developed as tools for use in chainsaw art and chainsaw mills.

How much does chainsaw cost?

You can find mid-range saws as well from $200 to $400 for activities like cutting lots of firewood. The majority of shoppers should be able to find a high quality chainsaw to satisfy their needs in the $100 to $200 range.

Do chainsaws have gears?

A chainsaw engine runs all the time, but you don’t want the chain spinning unless you’re actually cutting wood: that’s dangerous and it wastes energy. … Gears carry power from the clutch to the sprocket that holds the chain.

When was cesarean invented?

The first documented cesarean section on a living woman was performed in 1610; she died 25 days after the surgery. Abdominal delivery was subsequently tried in many ways and under many conditions, but it almost invariably resulted in the death of the mother from sepsis (infection) or hemorrhage (bleeding).

What is pubic symphysis?

The pubic symphysis is found on the anterior side of the pelvis and is the anterior boundary of the perineum. The pubic bones form a cartilaginous joint in the median plane, the symphysis pubis. The joint keeps the two bones of the pelvis together and steady during activity.

What is Caesarean section?

A cesarean section, also called a C-section, is a surgical procedure performed when a vaginal delivery is not possible or safe, or when the health of the mother or the baby is at risk. During this procedure, the baby is delivered through surgical incisions made in the abdomen and the uterus.

What does the T mean on a chainsaw?

The letters on the screws represent High (H), Low (L) and Idle (T). The H screw regulates the Air/Fuel mix during high RPMs, while the L Screw does the same during low RPMs. The T screw regulates how much fuel is sent to the carburettor while idling until the throttle is pressed.

Why does my chainsaw bogs down at full throttle?

If your chainsaw is bogging down when you give it throttle, this is often a sign of improper gas-to-oil ratio. If there is too much gasoline in relation to the amount of oil used, this is known as a “rich mixture” and can cause the chainsaw to run poorly.

What does L and H mean on a carburetor?

They are typically labeled L (low speed jet), H (high speed jet), and I (idler jet).

What is the purpose of a skip tooth chain?

A skip chain has fewer cutting teeth than a conventional chain which means it won’t be dragging as many teeth through the wood you’re cutting. Less drag on the chain means less power is needed to cut through the log. That means the motor on your saw runs faster which keeps it in a more efficient power curve.