r3x29yz4a said: actually public hangings left people very uncomfortable. hangmen were often pariahs (which has always meant unliked) and people wanted a more humane form of execution.
Wait a minute here!
How is the Guillotine inhumane? It's prolly one of the most painless forms of execution to date.
Not according to the Straight Dope archives. It seems likely that the victim lives for several seconds after death and is aware of their decapitation. A very very horrific story is recounted of a man who witnessed a decapitation victim's dying seconds.
