A guillotine is a device historically used for carrying out executions by beheading. It consists of a tall, upright frame with a heavy blade that is dropped from a height to swiftly sever the head of the condemned person. The guillotine became widely known during the French Revolution as a symbol of the period's radical changes and was seen as a more humane method of execution compared to previous methods. The design of the guillotine was created by Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, a French physician, who advocated for its use to ensure a quick and painless death. Although it was primarily used in France, variations of the guillotine appeared in other countries. Its use declined in the 20th century, and it was officially abolished in France in 1981.