TRANSHUMANISM
Prosthetics Limbs
Amputations performed since Neolithic times(around 10,000 BC) (evidenced by saws and amputated bone stumps), due to reasons such as gangrene (death of body tissue) or infections; prosthetics were naturally seen as a need for amputees to regain functionality. Reproduced from Hulton (2010)
Marcus Sergius, Roman general in the Second Punic War (218-210 BC) who used an iron hand designed to hold his shield to replace his amputated arm, to continue fighting. Reproduced from The Society Pages (n.d.)
Early 16th century, Ambroise Paré was well known for his amputation techniques, has been called the Father of Modern Surgery. Contributed to some of the first major advances in prosthetics. Invented a hinged mechanical hand, as well as locking knees and specialised attachment harnesses in prosthetic limbs (Clements, n.d.) Reproduced from Bridgeman (n.d.)
Earliest prosthetic discovered from a mummy Tabaketenmut, a priest’s daughter, possibly lost her toe to gangrene due to diabetes, (dated 950-710 BC). There are significant signs of wear, with holes for lacing to either attach the toes onto the foot or fasten onto a sock or sandal. Evidence has shown that it assisted walking. Reproduced from Discovery News (2012)
Gotz von Berlichingen (1480-1562), a German knight and mercenary lost his right arm during the Battle of Landshut to enemy cannon fire, a mechanical iron prosthetic hand replacement was made (earning him the name: Gotz of the Iron Hand), with articulated fingers controlled by gears. It was centuries ahead of its time, being a mechanical masterpiece, allowing him to continue fighting, and laid the foundations for modern prosthetics (Forbes, 2013) Adapted from 405th Infantry Division (2011)
Improved technology following WWII, myoelectric appliance The wearer contracts a muscle; the movement is amplified to a battery control that then operates the mechanical hand Electrically powered (bionic) hands were improved by the Russians, British (Bottomley Hand) and the Germans (Vaduz Hand) after WWII Reproduced from Historic Wings (2013)