The History of Articulators: The Contributions of Rudolph L.

Hanau and His Company—Part II

Robert L. Engelmeier, DMD, MS,1 Donald M. Belles, DDS, MS,2 & Edgar N. Starcke, DDS2
1
Department of Prosthodontics, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
2
Department of Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Dentistry, Houston, TX

Keywords
Rudolph Hanau; articulator history; Hanau
articulator.
Correspondence
Robert Engelmeier, University of Pittsburgh
School of Dental Medicine, 3501 Terrace St.,
Pittsburgh, PA 15261. E-mail: rle14@pitt.edu.
Abstract
This article is an historical overview of the Hanau Engineering Company from the
time of Rudolph Hanau’s 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 company’s corporate history, and it reviews
articulator designs and major improvements made during each of those periods.

The authors deny any conflicts of interest.

Accepted November 5, 2015

doi: 10.1111/jopr.12448

Sadly, in 1930 Rudolph Hanau passed away at the early age
of 49. Three months after his death, his last paper explaining
his concept of “Resilient and Like Effect” (REALEFF) was
presented at the Chicago Midwinter Meeting by Dr. Walter
H. Wright.1 During his impressive 9-year career in dentistry,
Hanau designed and manufactured many articulators and made
prolific contributions to the dental literature.2 After his death,
management of his company was passed to Hanau’s partner,
Jacob L. Stern. As president, Stern reorganized the company in
1930 and steered it for the next 28 years. His wife, Olive, was
appointed vice president, and Edmond J. Franwick became the
company’s secretary, as well as head of product development.3
It is notable that by the time of the company’s 1930 reorganiza-
tion, its product line had expanded to include alcohol torches,
brass denture flasks and presses, several facebows including a
Kinematic model, gothic arch tracing devices, and dental man-
nequins for dental school use. Incredibly, a number of these
products are still in production.3
Following Jacob Stern’s retirement in 1958, the American
Optical Company purchased Hanau Engineering. In 1961, the
company again changed hands when it was sold to the William
Getz Corporation, which had enjoyed considerable success as
a dental materials company. Just 5 years later, in 1966, Mr.
Getz traded his entire company for stock in the Teledyne Cor-
poration. Teledyne was established in 1960. In 1965 Teledyne
acquired Aquatek Corporation, which was formed in 1962 and
was the producer of the Waterpik oral irrigation device.
This company was incorporated and renamed Teledyne-
Waterpik in 1975. The Hanau, Getz, and Waterpik divisions
of Teledyne were eventually merged under the Teledyne Cor-
porate umbrella in 1993. A year later, Waterpik purchased the
Occlusion Line of Denar Corporation, founded by Dr. Niles
Guichet in 1965.4
Allegheny-Teledyne was incorporated in 1966; however, by
1999, Waterpik Technologies was spun-off from Allegheny-
Teledyne as a separate corporation. Within 7 years (in 2006), the
privately held Carlyle Group purchased it. After four decades,
in February of 2008, the dynamic “Teledyne Era” of the Hanau
Company ended when Whip Mix Corporation purchased the
occlusion and laboratory divisions of Teledyne-Waterpik. This
transaction included the entire Hanau and Denar articulator
lines.4
Whip Mix was founded in 1919. Its primary product was
an innovative mechanical spatulation device that surpassed any
other available method of mixing casting investment materials.
Since the recent consolidation of these three major articula-
tor manufacturers, the Whip Mix Corporation has continued
to offer the complete lines of Hanau, Denar, and Whip Mix
instruments, along with a wide variety of their accompanying
facebows and associated accessories.4
Hanau Engineering Era (1930 to 1958)
The Kinescope
The Kinescope, which followed Hanau’s original “B” and “C”
models, represented a quantum leap in articulator design. It
began life as the “Special Orthodontic Machine.” Rudolph
Hanau simultaneously designed this instrument and the leg-
endary Model H. By the time of its commercial offering in 1922,

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C 2016 by the American College of Prosthodontists 1
Hanau Part II
Figure 1 The Kinescope Model C of 1928 was a massive instrument
produced until 1964.
Figure 2 The Delta Sigma model of 1922 was the original Hanau Model
H articulator design.
this articulator underwent a name change to “Kinescope Model
M.” It was lauded by Dr. Russell Tench as “an almost perfect
instrument.”5 After significant design modification of its outer
posts, this landmark articulator evolved into the “Kinoscope
Model A2” of 1927, then finally into the “Kinoscope Model C”
of 1928. The Model “C” was the final design offered commer-
cially (Fig 1). An additional Research Kinoscope Model was
developed in 1929. The “Model C” featured a redesigned lower
member and the Hanau Universal Incisal Guide. A centric lock
was added in 1937. Kinescope Model “C” production contin-
ued until 1964 when it was discontinued during the company’s
Getz Corporation era.6
The Model H
The Model “H” began in 1922 with Rudolph Hanau’s “Delta
Sigma” design. It finally received a government patent in 1928,
along with its “Model H” designation (Fig 2).7 The venerable
“Model H” articulator enjoyed widespread popularity from the
time of its original offering until the 1959 introduction of the
Model “H-2.” By the mid-20th century, the “Model H” had
become the choice of many dental schools across the country.
Initial demand for the “Model H” spawned significant expan-
sion and relocation of the Hanau factory. This was accompanied
2 Journal of Prosthodontics 00 (2016) 1–8 
Engelmeier et al
Figure 3 By 1958, the Model H-2, which evolved from the high post
SM and SMX models of 1949 was rapidly replacing the original Model H
articulator.
by retooling with modern machinery and an increase in fac-
tory personnel. Despite modifications and refinements during
its impressive four-decade run, the basic design of the Model
H remained unchanged. Model H production ceased in 1960;
however, replacement part production continued through 1966.
Most significant of the Model H improvements during its
production years were the 1937 addition of a centric lock and
incorporation of two aluminum inserts into the lower mem-
bers to reinforce the vertically aligned posts that supported the
condylar housings. After addition of Hanau’s controversial for-
mula (L = H/8 + 12) to the underside of the lower member in
1938, the Model H was redesignated the Model H – 110 B.3
The principle limitation of the “Model H” articulator was its
insufficient intermember distance, which prevented a facebow
mounting where a third point of reference was used. The high
post “SH” and “SHX” models of 1949 were specifically de-
signed to accept a facebow recording using an “orbitale” third
point of reference. The condylar posts were extended half an
inch beyond those of the “Model H.” An infraorbital flag was
added to the upper member, while an “Orbitale” pointer was
added to the accompanying facebow. These widely popular high
post models of 1949 were renamed, giving birth to the incredi-
bly successful “Model 96-H2” series. Prior to the 1958 sale of
the company to American Optical, additional refinements had
been made to these landmark 1949 models (Fig 3), including:
r Condylar posts were further extended to ¾ inch beyond
those of the original “Model H.” In addition, the maxil-
lary mounting surface was lowered by ¼ inch.
r An adjustable incisal guide table was added.
r Extendable axis shafts were added to enable use of a
Kinetic facebow.
r A protrusive-retrusive adjustment was added to the
condylar track.
Despite the extraordinary success of the “H” and “H-2,”
the Hanau Company also designed and manufactured addi-
tional articulators specifically intended for crown and bridge
restoration. First in this series was the superbly designed “K”
model of 1923 (Fig 4). This prototype was never commercially
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Engelmeier et al
Figure 4 The 1923 K Model articulator was a less adjustable version of
the Model H intended for crown and bridge restorations. It was never
produced, however, because of competition concerns for the already
successful Model H.
Figure 5 The crown and bridge Model of 1934 was a very successful
stamped brass instrument produced until 1971.
offered because of company concerns over its competition with
the already successful “Model H.”6
The remarkably successful crown and bridge “Model of
1934” (Fig 5) was a very inexpensive stamped brass instru-
ment designed by Edmond Franwick.8 It was produced until
1971.
American Optical Era (1958 to 1961)
The classic “Model H” was discontinued during this era. De-
spite the change in management, Edmond Franwick continued
to direct product development and manufacturing. Under his
supervision a number of improvements and variations occurred
for the “Model H-2.” Most significant of these were replace-
ment of the centric latch with centric locking screws and ex-
tendable axis shafts. Design alterations were often prompted by
specifications requested by dental schools using this instrument.
Perhaps the most significant change during this era’s company
offerings was the replacement of Hanau’s original complete
denture technique manual,9 which went far beyond use of the
“Model H.” The rather brief new manual simply covered the
use of the instrument. During this period the company preferred
to leave complete denture technology and philosophies to texts
by notable prosthodontic educators of the day (Fig 6).10
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Hanau Part II
Figure 6 During the American Optical era, Hanau’s classic complete
denture technique manual was replaced with a brief instruction man-
ual for the Model H-2 instrument. Also pictured is the company’s flier
supplied with the Kinescope Model C, courtesy collection Dr. Robert L.
Engelmeier.
Figure 7 The 1961 Twin-Stage Occluder was a crown and bridge instru-
ment designed to be used with the Meyer “Chew-In” technique.
William Getz Era (1961 to 1966)
The William Getz Corporation, a very successful dental mate-
rials company of the time, purchased Hanau Engineering Com-
pany from American Optical in 1961. During the Getz period,
Mr. Franwick semi-retired as Director of Product Development
and was succeeded by Richard Bue, who held that position
until his retirement in 1989. Mr. Getz appointed John H. Buh-
ler, former Dean at Emory University’s Dental School, as vice
president of the company. Under Buhler’s leadership, Hanau
Engineering supported an aggressive campaign for U.S. Dental
Schools to adopt the “H-2” articulator.10 The “H-2” remained
the company’s mainstay during the brief Getz era. Three cen-
tric lock designs were developed during this time, prompted by
customer feedback.
The “Twin-Stage Occluder” was the only addition made
to the Hanau line during the Getz era (Fig 7). This crown
and bridge instrument designed by David W. Moore, DDS,
of New Orleans was intended to be used following the Func-
tionally Generated Path Technique of Dr. Frederick Meyers
of Minneapolis.11 The master cast of the prepared teeth was
3
Hanau Part II
Figure 8 The Model-130-21 was the flagship in the original Twenty-one
University series models. Its patent was granted in 1964.
mounted on the lower member. One upper member held the
opposing cast, while the other held the functionally generated
path recording. When Mr. Getz traded his entire company for
stock in the Teledyne Corporation in 1966, the Hanau Com-
pany again changed hands. At that time the company’s name
was changed to Teledyne-Hanau.
Teledyne Corporation Era (1966 to 2008)
The four-decade Teledyne era was by far the Hanau Com-
pany’s most innovative and productive period for development
of entirely new lines of articulators. The paradigm shift from
non-arcon to arcon instruments evolved during this time.12
Model H-2
The most significant change made in the model “H-2” during
the Teledyne era was removal of the brass plates from the upper
and lower members in 1968 to allow application of the “Sanford
Hard Coat,” an anodized finish that facilitated cleaning. An
auditory pin was added to the centric lock screws in 1973 to
secure the facebow earpieces.10 Based on research by Lauciello
and Applebaum,13 the orbital indicator flag was raised 7 mm
in 1977. “Model H-2” articulators can be found in an endless
number of dental offices, laboratories, and schools throughout
the world. Remarkably, this venerable instrument is still offered
by the Whip Mix Corporation as a key element in its Hanau
articulator line.14
Model 130 University Series
Hanau’s paradigm shift to programmed arcon articulators be-
gan in 1959. This was by far the company’s most ambitious
undertaking since its establishment. The intent was to produce
instruments intended for fixed prosthodontics rather than just
for complete denture fabrication. The “H-130” University Se-
ries was the first line of articulators in this evolution. The “H-
130-21” was the flagship of this series (Fig 8). This assembly
of articulators included 20 additional models differing in ad-
justability and in how they were accessorized. Features of the
“Model H 130-21” included:
4 Journal of Prosthodontics 00 (2016) 1–8 
Engelmeier et al
r Adjustable intercondylar distance with a split horizontal
axis
r Adjustable Bennett Angle
r Extendable axis shafts to accept a Kinematic facebow
r Adjustable incisal guide pin and table
r Orbital flag
r Closed condylar tracks with protrusive and retrusive
adjustments15
The cost of these instruments, of course, was expensive. This
series did evolve a bit through the 1970s but was discontinued
in 1986.
Model 145 Series
A full decade after its retirement, the “Model H” re-emerged
as the “Model 145,” inspired by collaborations between the
Hanau Company and the Pankey, Mann and Schuyler Institute.
This instrument had “Model 96 H-2” upper and lower members
with “Model H” upright short posts to minimize the height of
the plaster mounts. It also featured the Schuyler guide and ad-
justable pin originally developed for the “Model-130” Series.
Finally, it supported the Broaderick Occlusal Plane Analyzer
used to establish the curvature of the occlusal plane. Six ver-
sions of this instrument were eventually developed, all uniquely
accessorized for specific customers.
Model 154-1 Series
The next articulator model offered by the company during this
era was the radically designed “H 154-1” of 1974. This inter-
esting arcon instrument featured a fixed intercondylar distance,
open condylar tracks, and adjustable medial and posterior fossa
walls. The angle of the eminence was set by means of con-
ventional lateral check bite records. The Bennett Angle (Me-
dial Wall) and Compensating Angle (Posterior Wall) were set
according to accompanying charts based on Hanau’s Classic
Formula. The settings compensated for the instrument’s fixed,
narrow intercondylar distance. Design of this articulator was
based on the downward, forward, and medial movement of the
balancing condyle, and the simultaneous outward movement
of the working condyle. According to Tanaka et al,16-19 an er-
ror of 2.28 mm at the condyle translates to an error of just
0.04 mm at the second molar and essentially zero at the first
molar. Consequently, all the paths of the condylar elements
of the “Model 154-1” were straight rather than unnecessarily
curved. This instrument had an incisal guide table designed to
hold an autopolymerized acrylic custom incisal guide. It also
featured its own accessories, including an earbow and Kine-
matic facebow. By late 1974 the company provided a visual aid
that demonstrated the sound logic behind this design; however,
by 1978, after just 4 years of production, the “Model 154-1” was
discontinued. It had proven too radical for market acceptance
(Fig 9).20
Model 158 and 183 Wide View Series
The “Model 158” series first appeared in 1976. It was a re-
turn to the ever-popular “Model H-2,” redesigned to be an
arcon instrument. The lower member was refitted with solid,
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Engelmeier et al
Figure 9 The short-lived Model 154 series featured a logical, mathemat-
ically based design, but it proved too radical for market acceptance.
Figure 10 The original 158 series maxillofacial model was developed
circa 1980. It had inwardly curved upright posts that obstructed lingual
access and view. The current model has the wide view lower member.
Note the adaptors covering the condylar elements. These were devel-
oped to allow the 158 series to accept a Whip Mix earbow registration
at a time prior to the Hanau Company’s development of an earbow of
their own. Courtesy collection of Dr. R. L. Engelmeier.
horseshoe-shaped uprights that supported the condyles. En-
closed condylar tracks were featured on the redesigned upper
members. A series of six versions of this instrument evolved
through the 1970s, differing in how they were accessorized.
By 1980 the company had developed a maxillofacial version
with an upper member raised above the level of the condyles
to accommodate maxillectomy casts (Fig 10). Features of the
“M-158” series included a black anodized hard coat finish to
facilitate cleaning, extendable axis shafts, protrusive/retrusive
adjustment, and an orbital flag. Successful commercial sales
of the “M-158” began in 1977. Its only disadvantage was a
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Hanau Part II
Figure 11 The Model 158 articulators were fitted with a wide view
lower member in 1983, which enabled lingual access and visibility. The
redesigned lower member was responsible for the series name change
to the M-183 Wide View Articulator.
lack of posterior access and visibility. This was corrected in
1983 by a redesign of the lower members. The upright posts
were replaced by a wide yoke-like lower member, cast as one
piece to support the condyles (Fig 11). With this change, the
“H-158” was renamed the “H-183.” Four versions of the wide
view “M-183” articulators were offered, differing only in ac-
cessorization. By 1985 the wide view was given a blue Teflon
finish, but a year later it was switched to black Teflon. The wide
view design gave way to the Modular System of 1987; however,
its lower member has lived on as the platform for the Hanau
Wide View Modular Articulator, currently available from the
Whip Mix Corporation.
Radial shift and modular articular systems
The final major articular designs produced during the Hanau
Company’s Teledyne era were the Radial Shift and Modular
Articulator systems. Market desire for a “Model 154” and “183”
articulator with provisions for an adjustable immediate side
shift led to the “XP-67” condylar guide design of 1975. The
starting point for this adjustable side shift, open-track condylar
fossa was that originally featured on the “M-154.” By 1978 this
project had evolved to a point where an adjustable immediate
side shift was possible via choices of seven interchangeable
Bennett Angles and three compensating angle inserts. Further
development did finally produce condylar controls featuring an
adjustable Bennett Angle from zero to 30° and immediate side
shift from 0 to 3 mm.
Over a period of 5 years of development and under several
project name designations, those condylar controls were even-
tually incorporated into the “XP-88” Radial Shift Articulator.
It featured the “M-158” Radial Shift Articulator, the “M-158”
lower member, and a redesigned upper member that could ac-
commodate the new condylar elements. With its 1980 offering,
this instrument was renamed the “M 166-1” Radial Shift Articu-
lator. Ultimately, six versions of this instrument were available,
differing in accessorization and adjustability. First production
of these instruments was accompanied by two manuals, one for
complete dentures, the other for extensive fixed prosthodontic
restorations.
Following persistent collaboration with Dr. Fred A. Shaw of
Memphis, TN, the company developed an additional model in
5
Hanau Part II
Figure 12 An early model Modular Series highly accessorized to include
an adjustable intercondylar distance.
this series. This model with an adjustable intercondylar distance
was designated the “Model XP-97.” The upper member nec-
essarily had to be completely redesigned to allow for lingual
visibility and access. Production of the 1980 M-166 Radial
Shift models ceased in 1986 when they simply evolved into
the Hanau Modular System, renamed in 1987. The company’s
intention with the Modular System was to enable the user to as-
semble a wide variety of instruments by interchanging compo-
nents. Selections included open or closed track condylar fossa,
adjustable and custom incisal guide tables, and straight and
adjustable incisal guide pins. Ultimately, the Modular System
featured six models. Each, of course, was accessorized differ-
ently, depending on its intended use. Each of these six models
came with a color-coded reference manual. The Hanau Modu-
lar System has survived as a three-model offering by the Whip
Mix Corporation (Fig 12).21
During the Teledyne era there was a continued effort on the
part of Hanau’s Product Development Division under Richard
Bue to produce uncomplicated, inexpensive articulators in-
tended for simple crown and bridge restorations. First in this
Teledyne effort was the XP-34 plane line articulator of 1968.
This series was also known as the “LTD” or Laboratory Techni-
cal Device series. These were very strong, non-adjustable arcon
instruments, pre-programmed with average value settings. They
could accept facebow registrations to assure a patient’s arc of
closure. Their smooth lines and anodized hard finish facilitated
cleaning. Between 1968 and 1974, this design evolved into the
taller model 147-3 LTD. It featured an increase of 3/4 inches
in intermember space, stronger solid rather than open upper
and lower members, pins that enabled acceptance of earbow
registrations, a thumb-screw vertical stop on the posterior of
the upper members, and disposable metal thumbscrews used
for retention of the stone cast mounts (Fig 13).6
By 1979 the company recognized that most dentists and com-
mercial laboratories regrettably preferred the least complicated
and least expensive crown and bridge instruments available with
6 Journal of Prosthodontics 00 (2016) 1–8 
Engelmeier et al
Figure 13 The 1968 LTD Crown and Bridge articulator was a very
durable, non-adjustable arcon instrument pre-programmed with average
settings.
Figure 14 The 1980 Hanau Mate is a non-adjustable arcon instrument
with pre-set average values. It is designed to accept earbow registra-
tions. It is still in production.
little or no regard for occlusion or incisal guidance. In an effort
to lift the profession from this mindset, the company sought to
develop a reasonably priced, higher quality crown and bridge
articulator. The result was Hanau Mate of 1980.
Its size and intermember distance approached that of the H-2.
As it evolved from the XP-87 of 1979 to the M 165-7 of 1986,
this non-adjustable articulator featured pre-set, average value
controls, a centric lock and incisal guide pin and table. It ac-
cepted earbow registrations and eventually was equipped with
disposable metal thumb screws for retention of stone mounts
(Fig 14).
In response to market interest, the company experimented
with a very inexpensive, disposable articulator in the late 1980s.
The articulating components were incorporated into the cast
mounts. This effort resulted in the short-lived XP-150. It was
a tripodal instrument consisting of upper and lower plastic
base formers fitted with three metal dowel posts. The posts
were fixed to the upper member and articulated with three
fossae in the lower member. Gothic arches were generated in
auto- or light-cured acrylic resin packed into the lower member
fossa. This device was recommended for fixed and removable
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Engelmeier et al
Figure 15 The disposable, short-lived XP-150 articulator was an inex-
pensive Tri-Podal instrument.
prosthodontic restorations, orthognathic, surgical planning, and
cast storage (Fig 15).6
Whip Mix Era (2008 to present)
As stated earlier, since the 2008 consolidation of the three
instrument companies, the Whip Mix Corporation has contin-
ued production of the Hanau and Denar articulator lines along
with its own complete line of articulators.12 The popular Hanau
Wide View arcon series of 1982 has continued as a Whip Mix
offering. This series even includes a maxillofacial model with
an upper member that has been raised one additional inch to
allow increased restorative space needed for obturator bulb fab-
rication. The rotation centers have correctly remained in their
original positions. One-inch extensions have been added be-
tween the condylar housings and the upper member, as well
as to the support for the orbital indicator and the incisal guide
pin. This is actually a second generation of Hanau’s maxillofa-
cial model. The original version had a Model 158 series lower
member, which did not provide the lingual access offered by
the improved Wide View lower member.
In addition to the Wide View series, Hanau’s Modular arcon
models of 1987 have also remained in production. These instru-
ments feature interchangeable pre-programmed and adjustable
fossae.
Finally, the 96-H2 series is still being produced. This
non-arcon instrument is simply a latter-day Model H-2,
which has remained a popular complete denture instrument
for decades. The above three complete series of Hanau ar-
ticulators are accompanied with a full selection of acces-
sories including mounting jigs, incisal guide tables and pins,
facebows and earbows, and the Broderick Occlusal Plane
Analyzer.
In addition to the three complete series of Hanau articulators
mentioned above, Whip Mix offers three well-designed Hanau
crown and bridge instruments. The ulti-Mate with fixed set-
tings accepts Hanau Springbow registrations. The Hanau Mate
non-adjustable articulator is meant for single-crown fabrica-
tion. Finally, the Model Mate Plasterless Articulator is intended
for orthognathic surgical planning, orthodontics, and surgical
splint fabrication (Fig 15).
Journal of Prosthodontics 00 (2016) 1–8 
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Hanau Part II
Whip-Mix still offers Hanau brass denture flasks and presses
that date back to 1930. The reliable Hanau alcohol torch
and Touchmatic Bunsen Burners, which have been popular
for decades, are also listed in current Whip Mix Corporation
catalogs.12
Though a detailed review of Denar and Whip-Mix articula-
tors are subjects of future articles in this series, brief mention
is made here of Whip Mix Corporation’s continued offering
of these two articulator lines. Current Denar articulator offer-
ings by the Whip Mix Corporation include seven instrument
series. The Mark 300 Series consists of three semi-adjustable
arcon articulators with strong, wide view mandibular members,
and removable upper members. They vary in their adjustability.
They have magnetic mounts and are factory-calibrated to allow
instrument interchangeability.
The Mark II Series essentially is a semi-adjustable version
of the gnathological D5A. It is an arcon instrument with a
fixed intercondylar distance, but does have an adjustable incisal
guide table. It is not available with magnetic mounts and is not
factory-calibrated for instrument interchangeability.
The Track II articulator is a Mark II instrument with more
adjustable closed-track fossa elements. It is available with mag-
netic mounts and is calibrated to allow instrument interchange-
ability.
The Combi II system is a semi-adjustable arcon instrument.
It is similar to but less adjustable than the Mark II series. It does
not feature magnetic mounts or instrument interchangeability.
The Anamark model is also essentially a Mark II but has
interchangeable fossa elements. Unlike the Mark II, however,
it features magnetic mounts and instrument interchangeability
with other Anamark instruments.
The Denar line includes the arcon Automark non-adjustable
articulator. It is a Mark II where all controls have been preset
to anatomical averages.
The flagship of the Denar line as always remains the arcon
Class IV Denar D5A. This instrument was originally designed
to be programmed by means of the now-discontinued Denar
Pantograph; however, Denar now features the Cadiax electronic
pantograph, which is capable of calculating control settings for
15 different articulators.
The Denar’s Slidematic facebow is compatible with all ar-
ticulators in this line. A complete line of mounting jigs is also
offered.
The current Whip Mix line of articulators still features the
original arcon Model 8500 designed by the eminent Dr. Charles
Stuart. Its original earbow is among the half dozen Whip Mix
earbows currently available.
The 2000 Whip Mix arcon series represents a refined version
of the Model 8500. Though it has a fixed intercondylar distance
and has less adjustable condylar elements than the Model 8500,
its condylar elements can be interchanged with those of the
8500. Because of factory calibration, magnetic mounting and
instrument changeability are possible with all articulators in the
2000 series.
The Whip Mix arcon 3000 series features a redesigned frame
with tracking condylar guidance. Full and modified condylar
tracking elements are available. These instruments are also fac-
tory calibrated to allow magnetic mounting and instrument in-
terchangeability.
7
Hanau Part II
The Whip Mix 4000 arcon series features articulators with
full and modified tracking condylar elements. The lower mem-
ber has again been redesigned to allow maximum posterior
access and viewing. The crossbar between the uprights of the
lower member has been eliminated. These instruments are avail-
able with progressive side shift adjustments and are calibrated
for instrument changeability using magnetic mounts. The Whip
Mix also offers its own complete line of accessories including
mounting and remount jigs, incisal guide tables, and a selection
of six facebows.12
Conclusion
Such has been the nearly century-long saga of the Hanau En-
gineering Company. It emerged from Rudolph Hanau’s initial
foray into dentistry during the storied “Articulator Wars” of the
early 20th century. It has survived significant growth, competi-
tion, and transitions in corporate ownership. Perhaps the most
remarkable element in this saga has been the indomitable H-2
articulator, which still survives as the Model 96 H-2 offered by
Whip Mix Corporation.
References
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