Early Life and Education
- Born in 1886 in Brunswick, Georgia
- Father was a dentist
- Attended Marist College and Georgia Institute of Technology
- Earned dental degree from Emory University
- Taught anatomy and Orthodontics at Emory University from 1917 to 1924
Career and Contributions
- Perplexed by heavy forces used in orthodontics
- Influenced by Dr. Albin Oppenheim's use of light pressure
- Patented the Universal Appliance in 1929
- Appliance incorporated Angles ribbon arch and edgewise arch appliances
- Allowed for the use of light forces in moving teeth
The Spencer R. Atkinson Library of Applied Anatomy
- Started collecting skulls in 1919
- Kept collection at his home in Pasadena, California
- Studied facial growth patterns and dental characteristics of skulls
- University of Pacific School of Dentistry acquired the collection in 1964
- Library consists of 1,400 skulls from different countries and age ranges
Awards and Recognition
- Order of the Aztec Eagle, 1946
- Diplomate of American Board of Orthodontics
- Albert H. Ketcham Memorial Award, 1953
- Fellow of American College of Dentists, International Association of Dental Research
- University of Southern California Hall of Fame, 1979
References
- 'Our Best Kept Secret' (PDF)
- Dugoni School of Dentistry - Atkinson Collection
- Fastlicht, Samuel (1950). 'Evolution of the universal appliance.'
- Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Spencer_Atkinson&oldid=1187892293
- Categories: 20th-century American dentists, Orthodontists, 1886 births, 1970 deaths
This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2021) |
Dr. Spencer Roane Atkinson (September 2, 1886 – October 31, 1970) was an American orthodontist and a graduate of Angle School of Orthodontia. He is best known for establishing The Spencer R. Atkinson Library of Applied Anatomy at University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. The library consists of collection of 1,400 human skulls collected over past 40 years. Atkinson is also known for developing the Universal Appliance in the 1960s which led to eventual formation of the Unitek Division of 3M Company.
