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950 BCE
First Ever Prosthetic
The first recorded prosthetic, a toe made out of wood and leather, was in use by an ancient Egyptian, and was late found attached to its mummy in the 1800s. -
300 BCE
Roman Prosthetic Limbs
Prosthetic limbs were being used by the Romans, often being made out of wood, bronze and iron. -
Period: 476 to 1000
Middle Ages Prosthetics
Wooden peg legs and metal hooks in place of hands were common but expensive. Some prosthetics were designed to fit stirrups, etc, but these were clunky and ineffective. -
Period: 1400 to
Renaissance Prosthetics
Prosthetics were common during this period and were usually made out of metal. -
Prosthetics During War
During the American Civil War there were significant improvements in prosthetics, with flexible rubber hands and attachable hooks and brushes in use. -
Prosthetics After WWII
After the end of WWII, many returning soldiers were in need of replacement limbs. These were usually made out of leather and wood, which had benefits but were heavy and unhygienic. -
Period: to
Late 20th Century Prosthetics
Plastics, carbon fibres, etc. were being used as alternatives to wood, leather and metal. The new materials were lighten, easier to clean and more hygienic. -
First Bionic Limb
The first bionic arm was fitted and used by Scottish Robert Campbell Aird. It could rotate at the wrist and shoulder, bend at the elbow and the fingers could grip. -
Bionic Fingers
The first bionic hand to have individually working fingers was put on the market. -
Smartphone Control
Bionic limbs that could have different commands to help with manueverability programmed into them with smartphones went on the market.