Here's a breakdown of its origin:
* Not the inventor: While Dr. Guillotin proposed the use of a machine for swift and painless executions in 1789, he wasn't the actual inventor. The device was already in use in other countries under different names (e.g., "Scottish Maiden").
* Popularized by Guillotin: Dr. Guillotin's advocacy for the machine made it associated with his name, leading to its widespread use in France during the French Revolution.
* Official adoption: In 1792, the French National Convention officially adopted the machine and named it the "Louisette" or "Guillotine" after Dr. Guillotin.
The word "guillotine" then spread to other languages, becoming synonymous with the execution device itself.
It's important to note that Dr. Guillotin himself was never a proponent of capital punishment. He believed that a machine offering a swift and painless death was a more humane alternative to the brutal and often lengthy execution methods of the time.