The knife is one of the earliest tools developed, with its use in medicine dating back as far as the Mesolithic period around 8000 BC. Hippocrates was the first to describe the surgical knife, identifying it as a broad cutting blade with a single edge and a sharp, straight point. He used this early tool to drain an empyema. The word “scalpel” is derived from the Latin word Scalpellus, meaning a knife to cut. A typical surgical scalpel consists of two parts: the blade, which is typically disposable, and the reusable handle. The development of the modern scalpel, particularly with disposable blades, was significantly influenced by Mr King Gillette’s invention of a safety razor (patented in 1904). Historically, scalpel handles were made from ornately decorated wood or ivory. However, with the introduction of antisepsis and heat sterilization techniques, metal handles became the standard by the late 19th century. Dr. John B. Murphy also contributed to refining the scalpel handle during this period. The handle commonly used today is known as the “B.P. handle”, named after Russell Bard and Morgan Parker, the founders of the Bard-Parker Company. Parker patented the two-piece scalpel design in 1914 that allowed the blade and handle to be securely assembled without the 3rd part.[1] 1.El-Sedfy, A. & Chamberlain, Ronald S, MD,M.P.A., F.A.C.S. 2014, "Surgeons and Their Tools: A History of Surgical Instruments and Their Innovators-Part II: The Surgeon's Wand-Evolution from Knife to Scalpel to Electrocautery", The American Surgeon, vol. 80, no. 12, pp. 1196-1200.