The origin of the thermometer can be traced to the work of Galileo, who constructed the first

"thermoscope" in 1592 by trapping air in a large glass bulb with a long narrow neck inverted over a
container of water or wine. Any change in the temperature of the room causes the air in the bulb to
expand or contract, forcing the liquid to travel up or down the tube. It was not until almost 20 years
later, however, that a colleague of Galileo suggested adding a scale to the thermoscope to make the first
thermometer.

In 1654, the first enclosed liquid-in-a-glass thermometer was invented by the Grand Duke of Tuscany,
Ferdinand II. The Duke used alcohol as his liquid. However, it was still inaccurate and did not use a
standardized scale.

What can be considered the first modern thermometer, the mercury thermometer with a standardized
scale, was invented by Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit in 1714.

The Allbutt Clinical Thermometer was the first practical device for taking temperatures. It could be easily
carried around large hospitals and gave rapid, accurate readings. This version became an indispensable
diagnostic aid, joining the stethoscope in the doctor’s armoury.

The Allbutt Clinical Thermometer was around 6 inches long, and contained mercury. It resembles very
closely the thermometers of today.