| It all started when Thomas Edison decided to endorse | | | | the present stun gun, it was much weaker than the |
| the use of the electric chair to a state commission | | | | powerful voltage that stun guns deliver these days. |
| seeking alternatives ways for capital punishment. Of | | | | The Argentine Picana Electrica is probably the closest |
| course stun guns today are not setup to be lethal, but | | | | device to the stun guns being used today. It was used |
| they sure hurt and disable you temporarily! | | | | in many central and south American countries such as |
| Since Edison's endorsement in 1888, many countries | | | | Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. |
| started utilizing electricity as a torture weapon on | | | | In the US, the first Taser design was proposed in 1952 |
| prisoners. Torture weapons had to be strong enough | | | | for commando operations, the "Combined Policeman's |
| to cause pain, yet not too powerful to cause death. In | | | | Club and Restraining Device" appeared in 1960 and the |
| the 1930s, two devices where in use that fit the non | | | | "Electrified Stick for Postman" was developed in 1964. |
| lethal characteristics: the Argentine Picana Electrica | | | | After that, these devices were used frequently by |
| and the Italian Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT) | | | | police to control or prevent riots. In the 1970s, inventors |
| device. | | | | started marketing the devices as self defense |
| The ECT was invented by two Italian psychologists | | | | products against muggers. This lead to the distribution |
| who worked with schizophrenics in the early 1930s. | | | | and selling of all kinds of stun guns and Tasers |
| The electric shock was delivered directly to the head | | | | available to the general public today. |
| of the patient. But this device was not the ancestor of | | | | |