People left terrified after learning the ‘alarming’ reason chainsaws were invented

People are just learning the frightening reason chainsaws were first invented, and it’s unlikely to make you feel any more comfortable around what is already quite a menacing tool

Chainsaws already have a pretty frightening reputation, with horror classic The Texas Chainsaw Massacre being one of the first things that spring to mind. And after looking into the history of chainsaws, it’s unlikely you’ll find much to ease your mind, with its original purpose being almost unspeakably horrific.

A conversation about the original purpose of chainsaws recently arose on TikTok, where a user shared footage of herself ‘before and after’ discovering why chainsaws were invented’. Although you might reasonably presume such saws were originally made to chop wood, this sadly couldn’t be further from the truth.

This tool was in fact first made back in the 19th century to cut through a woman’s pelvis during childbirth, as an aid in a highly dangerous procedure known as a symphysiotomy.

A symphysiotomy is a now outdated medical procedure whereby a woman’s pubic symphysis – the joint holding the pelvis together – is severed so the birth canal can be widened during labour. The procedure was initially performed using a sharp knife, which proved to be very messy and slow.

In the year 1780, two Scottish doctors, John Aitken and James Jeffray wanted to improve upon this method, according to the website Chainsaw Guru, and so invented a teethed tool with a rotating blade, powered by a hand crank.

At this time, the chainsaw would have been relatively small, around the same size as a kitchen knife. It proved to be successful in improving the chances of survival among mothers and babies but left mums with lifelong health concerns.

TikTok user @bootstheorangecat was so horrified after learning this gruesome historical fact, she uploaded a video of her expressions before and after reading up on it. Others who’d previously had no clue about this part of medical history were left equally sickened.

One person shuddered: “No because I thought it was for torture and it is WORSE.”

Another commented: “I feel so bad for women back then.”

A third person shivered: “Yup. Things you can never forget.”

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