Edgar N. Starcke

The history of articulators: the Contributions of Rudolph L. Hanau and his company--part I.

This article is a historical review of the last decade of Rudolph Hanaus life. It covers his introduction to dentistry and explores his prolific articulator designs and contributions to the prosthodontic literature.

The History of Articulators: The Wonderful World of “Grinders,” Part 2: Wonderful World of Grinders, Part 2

This is the second article in a three-part series on the history of denture grinding devices. The first article reviewed the earliest attempts to mechanically grind the occlusion of artificial teeth from the manipulation of simple articulators to very elaborate and complex machines powered by hand cranks. This article explores motor-driven grinders, most driven by way of a belt-driven pulley powered by an external source. A few were self-contained; that is, the motor was mounted on the grinder base. There were basically two types of grinders: those with cast holders for mounting processed dentures and those with provisions for using articulators for that purpose.

The History of Articulators: The Contributions of Rudolph L. Hanau and His Company-Part II: Hanau Part II

This article is an historical overview of the Hanau Engineering Company from the time of Rudolph Hanaus death in 1930 to the present. It explores the development of many articulators intended both for removable and fixed prosthodontic restorations. The article is divided into the eras of the companys corporate history, and it reviews articulator designs and major improvements made during each of those periods.