Breathalyzer Breath Analyzer Drunkometer Breath Test Breathalyzer

Breath Test
1927
- Performed in lab, not
available to public
- Blow into football bladder
containing chemicals
- Alcohol in breath makes
chemicals change color
*
Sober-meter Test
Breath Analyzer
1927
- Handheld device
- Smaller, cheaper version of
balloon air mixing with
chemical solution method
1931
- Blow into tube
- Alcohol in breath makes
chemicals change color
Breathalyzer*
Model 900a
Intoximeter
1937
- Intended for law
enforcement use
- Advertised for wives to use
- Blow into balloon
to test their husbands
1931
1969
1967
Drunkometer
- Balloon air released into
chemical solution
1981
- Blow into tube
- Breath reacts with
chemical solution
- Alcohol in breath reacts
with chemicals
- Destroys chemical color
if alcohol present
- Color fades if alcohol
present
- Requires 110-volt AC
current to operate
*
Alcotest Kit®
c. 1981
- Improved version of initial
Breathalyzers
- Uses infrared absorption to - Improved version of
balloon air tests
measure alcohol in breath
- Made by Smith & Wesson
1969sold to
until 1984 then
the National Dräger
Corporation
- Microprocessor-controlled
- Manufactured until 1997
1941
- Blow into balloon
- Alcohol makes chemicals
appear darker
Breathalyzer*
Model 2000
Alcometer
- Blow through chemical
tube into “bag”
- Discoloration in the tube
indicates how much
alcohol is present
2014-15
* Part of the National Law Enforcement
Museum’s Collection
Breeze wireless Alcohoot smartphone
smartphone breathalyzer tracks body
reactions to alcohol
breathalyzer
Alco-Sensor®
IV
1994
- According to Intoximeters,
Inc. it is “the most widely
used breath testing
instrument today”
- Screen displays step by
step instructions
Breathalyzer
1954
- Becomes the industry
standard
- More user friendly, durable
and portable
- Gives instant reading
- Improved chemistry
provides more accurate
readings of alcohol levels
Intoximeter
EC/IR® II.t
2012
- Multiple processes measure
alcohol in breath
- Immune to radio frequency
interference to ensure
accuracy
2
- Also measures CO in breath
for medical purposes