What century is this anyway?

As I'm sure you all know, Saddam Hussein was recently sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. Perhaps you also noticed that he wasn't just sentenced to death, he was sentenced to death by hanging. For those of you who are curious, Slate is running a particularly morbid piece that explains how hangings work. Did you know that the last major innovation in hanging occurred toward the end of the 19th century? Now you know.