was fascinated by sword swallowers who would insert a sword down their throat without gagging. This drew inspiration to insert a hollow tube for observation; the next problem to solve was how to shine light through the tube, as they were still relying on candles and oil lamps as light sources.

The term endoscope was first used on February 7, 1855, by engineer-optician Charles Chevalier, about the uréthroscope of Désormeaux, who himself began using