A vertical plank called a bascule was placed in front of these things and was used to alter the position of a person traditionally wearing a red shirt.  
In 1907, a Dr. Amirault for some reason hooked up a waste product from one of these machines to the heart of a beating dog.  Louis Deibler tendered his resignation after a certain Ms. Thomas started taking off her clothes near one of these devices in 1887.  A weighted part of these machines was alternatively known as a tup, monkey or ram.  A vertical plank called a bascule was placed in front of these things and was used to alter the position of a person traditionally wearing a red shirt.  These devices were (*) banned for three years by Armand Fallieres.  One improvement to these devices replaced its wooden runners with brass grooves to prevent jamming.  A large zinc basket was typically placed next to this device, which was famously operated by Charles-Henri Sanson and first used on a highwayman named Nicolas Jacques Pelletier.  For 10 points, name this invention widely used during the Reign of Terror to humanely execute people.
In 1907, a Dr. Amirault for some reason hooked up a waste product from one of these machines to the heart of a beating dog.  
guillotine