Understanding the Original Shape of the Macintosh Laryngoscope

71 years ago, the most popular curved laryngoscope in the world the Macintosh laryngoscope was designed by Sir Robert Reynolds Macintosh, which was expected to expose the larynx more easily under lighter anesthesia than that with the straight laryngoscope by elevating the epiglottis indirectly [1]. Although the design process of the Macintosh laryngoscope was mentioned in 1944, detailed features of the original design have not been well described [2]. The prototype of the Macintosh laryngoscope had a markedly flattened midportion, which contributed to improving the laryngeal view [3] (Figure 1a).