Inventor Of Full-Body Scanner Surprised By Opt-Out

The inventor of the full body scanner — the device at the center of the controversy over airport screening technology — says he doesn't know what the fuss is all about. He is especially surprised by the fears there’s too much radiation.

RENEE MONTAGNE, host:

On this, the busiest travel day of the year, a day when travelers are planning to protest full body scanners, we're going to let you hear from the man who invented those machines. The complaint that they are intrusive and offensive has him shaking his head.

From WBUR in Boston, Curt Nickisch reports.

CURT NICKISCH: Thirty years ago, when Martin Annis developed those machines now used at many airports nationwide, he knew there would be pitfalls.

Dr. MARTIN ANNIS (Annistech, Inc): When I first invented this system, people say, well, what would a woman look like? Everybody has not good motives in this.

NICKISCH: Now 88, the retired engineer says the idea was to come up with X-rays of people that only use enough radiation to show what's on your skin.

Dr. ANNIS: The images are very unflattering.

NICKISCH: The company Annis founded, American Science & Engineering, didn't sell many machines until 9/11. Then airports became interested. And recently the underwear bomber boosted government interest in the security potential. So the public pushback today makes Martin Annis a little crestfallen. The scientist is especially surprised by the fears there's too much radiation.

Dr. ANNIS: It's truly ridiculously small.

NICKISCH: He's going to be flying next week, and he says he's hoping to be pulled aside for a full body scan. There's no way he'd ask for a personal pat-down instead.

Dr. ANNIS: I wouldn't want to do that, would you? Have someone put his hands all over your body?

NICKISCH: Annis knows the scanner will let TSA workers see the contours of his body, skinny legs and all. But for the sake of airport security, he says he's more than okay with it.

For NPR News, I'm Curt Nickisch in Boston.

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