The good old reflex hammer (like this Taylor model) might seem like an outdated medical device, but its role in diagnosing disease is still as important as ever. Meredith Rizzo/NPR hide caption toggle caption Meredith Rizzo/NPR Shots - Health News In The Age Of Digital Medicine, The Humble Reflex Hammer Hangs On May 28, 2017 Nearly 130 years since its inception, a modest knob of rubber with a metal handle is still invaluable in diagnosing disease and avoiding expensive testing. But its history is anything but simple.