Abstract: A disposable thermocouple probe to be used in association with an electronic processing and indicating device to comprise a clinical thermometer. The dissimilar metals of the thermocouple junction are applied by the vacuum deposition process. The optical nature of the process allows the metal thickness to be graduated to allow the dissimilar metals at the junction to be only 0.0001 to 0.1 mils thick to allow response times of less than one second, while the metal which makes sliding contact with the processing and display portion of the thermometer is graduated to a thickness of 10 times greater, for example, than the metal thickness at the junction to resist the abrasion encountered when inserted at time of use. A method is provided for the handling of the probes in large quantities by molding a structure which resembles a comb in which the individual probes are supported by a backbone.