Use of the Gas Chamber in Capital Punishment Essays -- Death Penalty

Execution as a form of criminal punishment has been used throughout various parts of the world since the Middle Ages. In fact, back in that time, even petty offenses such as committing adultery or stealing from a food vendor were considered criminal enough to be worthy of death. During the 18th century, death by execution became subject to public display, and was even thought by some to be a form of entertainment. This â€Å"entertainment† took shape via methods such as burning at the stake, breaking on the wheel, and slow strangulation. However, due to a growing humanitarian movement in the late 1800’s, these torturous methods became extinct. Rather, more â€Å"humane† forms of execution were implemented, such as by guillotine, hanging, or the headman’s axe. The pain inflicted by these was far less than the first three methods, as death was nearly instantaneous. However, technology’s influence on execution methods truly became apparent with the invention of the gas chamber in 1924. Gee Jon, a convicted felon in the State of Nevada, is known as the first person to have died by the ... Use of the Gas Chamber in Capital Punishment Essays -- Death Penalty Execution as a form of criminal punishment has been used throughout various parts of the world since the Middle Ages. In fact, back in that time, even petty offenses such as committing adultery or stealing from a food vendor were considered criminal enough to be worthy of death. During the 18th century, death by execution became subject to public display, and was even thought by some to be a form of entertainment. This â€Å"entertainment† took shape via methods such as burning at the stake, breaking on the wheel, and slow strangulation. However, due to a growing humanitarian movement in the late 1800’s, these torturous methods became extinct. Rather, more â€Å"humane† forms of execution were implemented, such as by guillotine, hanging, or the headman’s axe. The pain inflicted by these was far less than the first three methods, as death was nearly instantaneous. However, technology’s influence on execution methods truly became apparent with the invention of the gas chamber in 1924. Gee Jon, a convicted felon in the State of Nevada, is known as the first person to have died by the ...