Why Were Chainsaws Invented, And Why Shouldn't You Look Up The Answer?

Everyone knows what chainsaws are used for — cutting down trees and sawing wood like a modern, civilized lumberjack. However, that's not why chainsaws were originally invented. In fact, the answer to "Why were chainsaws invented?" is much more shocking than one could imagine.

On TikTok and Twitter, this viral bait question has been making the rounds, inspiring reaction videos from stunned internet users around the world.

Curious about why chainsaws were invented and what everyone's so grossed out about? Let's explain.

Why Were Chainsaws Invented?

The first chainsaws were invented in the late 1700s and were smaller, handheld devices. Related to their small scale, chainsaws were not invented for wood-cutting purposes. Instead, the original chainsaws were used for a medical practice called "symphysiotomy" which was performed during childbirth when the baby was too large to breech, causing its head to get stuck in the mother's pelvis bone. The chainsaws were used to go through the mother's bone, in order for the baby to be born.

The lumber industry adopted chainsaw technology years later in the early 1900s when the chainsaw was superseded by a newer, less harsh bone-cutting device known as the Gigli twisted wire saw. Among many publications, both Business Insider and the Pharmacy Times have covered this odd history.

Why Is This Question Trending Online?

At the end of last year, TikTokers discovered the origin of chainsaw technology and decided to make content about it, akin to many don't Google trends at the time. They'd often record themselves before and after looking up the question, showing their changed, less innocent expressions. The question served as bait for their curious viewers who decided, for themselves, to learn the truth.

For the full history of why chainsaws were invented, be sure to check out our entry on the trend here for even more information.