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Evolution of Artificial Limbs
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Future Hopes
Researchers hope that by the end of the 21st century disabilities will be largely eliminated.
Near Future
Current Times
In the coming decades people could have their artificial limbs bolted straight onto their bones. These new arms, legs and hands are bringing people closer to having the capabilities of a able-bodied person.
In April 2011, researchers connected a robotic arm to directly to the brain of a woman. Her name is Cathy Hutchinson and she is a 58-year-old quadriplegic who can not move her arms and legs. For the first time she was able to pick up a bottle on her own and take a drink. They implanted a sensor in her motor cortex.
21st Century
The wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan have led to advances in prosthetics. Ever since 2006, government agencies have put $144 million dollars into research to help the almost 1,800 American soldier that lost limbs.
World War II
After WWII, many new materials found their way into the world of prosthetics. Some of those materials included plastic and titanium.
Wold War I
During the war, over 76,000 amputations were preformed in Germany alone. The doctors in Germany started creating artificial limbs that could enable veterans to return to work in factories and jobs that require manual labor.
Post Civil War Era
After the Civil War, many veterans were left without limbs. Subsequently, the need for prosthetics increased greatly. The increase prompted the government to provide money for veterans to pay for their artificial limbs.
Evolution of Artificial Limbs
19th Century
The US saw its first spike in widespread use of prosthetics during the Civil War. They amputated many arms and legs because it was the best way to prevent gangrene.
16th Century
The first functional limbs came into history. In a French battlefield, a surgeon invented a hand with flexible fingers. The same surgeon also built a leg with a mechanical knee that the patient could lock into place while standing.
3,000 Years Ago in Egypt
Archeologists found one of the first prosthetic ever used. It was a piece of wood- carved into the shape of a toe- attached to a strip of leather. The toe could be fitted onto the person's foot. The toe was not functional.