 Between 1945 and 1952 , optical engineers built upon the earlier work of Rudolph Schindler ( 1888 – 1968 ) , developing the first gastrocamera . In 1964 , optical fiber technology was applied to one of these early gastrocameras to produce the first flexible fiberoptic endoscope . Initially used in upper GI endoscopy , this device was first used for laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation by Peter Murphy , an English anesthetist , in 1967 . The concept of using a stylet for replacing or exchanging orotracheal tubes was introduced by Finucane and Kupshik in 1978 , using a central venous catheter . 
