The ubiquitous stethoscope has a very long history. It was in 1816 when French physician René Laënnec invented the device, partly driven by the fact that he was uncomfortable with the practice of doctors placing their ears on the chests of patients, especially women. Arthur Leared created a two ear piece binaural stethoscope in 1851, and the design was later perfected by George Cammann in 1852.