• Times have changed since the invention of the mercury-filled glass thermometer developed by Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit in 1724. The Environmental Protection Agency "encourages consumers, businesses and other organizations to use non-mercury thermometers whenever possible." States have begun to restrict the sale of mercury-filled thermometers; however there are a variety of accurate and trustworthy alternative types of medical thermometers available.
  
  

Digital Pacifier Thermometer

• With the digital pacifier thermometer you can easily get a reading within 90 seconds. This thermometer resembles a regular pacifier. When the thermometer reaches the maximum temperature it beeps.
  
  

Underarm Thermometer

• Newer underarm thermometers are digital and have a flat design that makes it easier to obtain a correct reading. Digital underarm thermometers can provide a reading within eight seconds or as fast as one minute.
  
  

No-touch thermometer

• A no-touch thermometer allows you to get a temperature reading without having direct contact with the skin. You press a button on the thermometer, which releases two safe LED lights approximately three centimeters from the forehead. Within seconds the temperature appears on the display screen.
  
  

Tympanic Thermometer

• Another popular thermometer is the tympanic or ear thermometer. This thermometer provides accurate readings when it is aligned in the ear canal.