THE FIRST PROSTHETICS
An Artificial Toe |
The first ever functional prosthetic dates back to 950-710 BCE. It's not a leg, or an arm, or a foot. It was a prosthetic toe. The fake-toe belonged to a noble woman in Egypt. The big toe can be seen as important to an Egyptian because the traditional sandals that they would wear would need the big toe in order to be secured around her foot. It was made out of wood and leather, which are still used to make prosthetic items today. |
Prosthetic Arm |
Prosthetic Leg |
The first prosthetic limb however, belonged to the Roman General, Marcus Sergius in 210 to 218 B.C.E.. He suffered an amputation on his right arm during the second Punic War. A prosthetic arm was fashioned out of iron but it was very limited because its only function was to hold his shield so he could continue going to battle.
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A Persian prisoner of war named Hegesistratus was the first to have a prosthetic leg. In 300 B.C.E, he was condemned to a death sentence after he was captured by the Spartans during the Greco-Persian war. To escape his bonds, he cut off his own foot with a below the knee amputation. Later, he was given a wooden prosthetic.
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The Rancho Arm
The Rancho Arm is one of the first artificial robotic limbs. It was a tool used for the handicapped. Originally developed in Ranchos Los Amigos Hospital, Downey, California, the Rancho Arm has six different joints to replicate the flexibility of a human arm. In 1963, the project was moved to Stanford University where it became the first bionic to be controlled by a computer. |