What were chainsaws invented for? The question goes viral on TikTok

Questions about the origins of chainsaws are going viral on TikTok, with users recording their reactions before and after finding the answer. And no, this is not about the anime Chainsaw Man.

This is not the first time this inquiry has made the rounds on the social media platform. However, the most recent time has users recording their reactions while "You're F****" by Ylvis plays in the background.

As it turns out, an early hand-cranked prototype version of chainsaws was first designed to help in quickening the childbirth process. It is not surprising that the viral trend has left the internet shocked and even appalled. Thousands of likes and shares of reaction videos have prompted even more people to google for answers.

"Don't do it" - Netizens react to the gruesome origin of chainsaws

Social media platforms are filled with user reactions. Many recorded their before and after reactions on TikTok, and most people were left speechless and horrified. Here are some takes from users across the internet.

The comment sections, too, were filled with similarly shocking responses to the gruesome origins of the chainsaw, with many stating it was better not to find out the answer. One appalled TikTok user, @caaarojas commented:

Why were chainsaws invented?

Prior to the invention of what is the modern-day Cesarean section, a surgical procedure called the symphysiotomy was performed if there were any complications due to obstruction during childbirth. C-sections were still seen as the last option before 1965.

This outdated procedure involved removing a part of the pelvic bone to allow the delivery. It was performed without anesthesia using a small knife and a saw.

According to Pharmacy Times, two Scottish doctors, John Aitken and James Jeffrey, developed a hand-cranked tool for this procedure in 1780. It was a small instrument, no bigger than a kitchen knife. The intention for this serrated metal "teeth" on a chain tool was to cut through the bone with ease and more quickly.

In the late 19th Century, this tool became an early prototype for what are now mechanized chainsaws. By the 1920s, this mechanized variant was adopted by the timbre industry and has since been used as a wood-cutting tool.

TikTok is a short-video hosting platform owned by a Chinese company, ByteDance. It hosts a variety of videos, from pranks to stunts, jokes, dances, and more. A variety of "trends" have risen within the platform, including challenges, memes, dances, and lip-sync videos.

The "Before and After" trend, as the name suggests, records the reactions in users after googling a question like "where does vanilla flavoring come from?" or "How did Barney the dinosaur die?" Another version of this trend involves users reacting to a fact or information.

About the author

Nirali has been a popular culture writer at Sportskeeda for the past 1.5 years, covering celebrity/influencer trends and profile/histories, political news, crime reports, and lifestyle. She completed her Bachelor's in Architecture from University of Mumbai and Masters in Heritage Conservation from University of Southern California. Professionally, Nirali has a strong 7.5-year experience working as an architect, an Assistant Archivist and a Digital Archivist across three companies.

Nirali’s educational qualifications and unique career trajectory put great emphasis on research and writing, which along with her personal interest in popular culture, led her to the current role at Sportskeeda. Her specialties are researching histories, crime stories, and developing general knowledge pieces.

The most crucial step in Nirali’s reporting is rigorous fact-checking, and she relies on information from primary sources only for her news. In the absence of a primary source, Nirali double, and even triple-checks information from multiple sources before presenting them to her readers. Strictly anti-AI, she believes in giving credits wherever necessary.

Nirali’s favorite celebrities are Mark Ruffalo and Dolly Parton, and she admires them for their support of humanity and advocacy for what is right. An avid reader, Nirali can be found nose-deep in a new book when she is away from her keyboard. Nirali also loves to illustrate in her free time.

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