An infographic detailing the rich history and my envisioned future for the prosthetics industry. Check out evolutionaryprosthetics.wordpress.com for more! This was an individual research project done for the Tech & Data module of Hyper Island's Digital Media Management course.

1. 950 to 710 BC
Two artificial toes attributed
to Ancient Egyptian noblewoman.
Currently the oldest known
functional prosthetics
300 BC
Artificial leg fashioned from
bronze and wood excavated
from a grave in Capua, Italy
218 to 201 BC
Roman General Marcus Sergius
wears artificial iron hand to hold
his shield during the Punic War
History of
Prosthetics
500 to 1500 (The Dark Ages)
Scientific development stagnates. Prosthesis
limited to hook hands and peg legs for most.
Mortality rate for amputees high due to infection
1564
Ambroise Paré publishes
Dix livres de la chirurgie.
Prosthetics with articulated joints,
adjustable harness and knee lock
control all feature
1861
Hanger Orthopedic Group founded by
the first amputee of the American Civil War
as a local company specializing in prosthetics
Rubber hand is invented. Could be
slipped from the socket and replaced
with various tools (ie. eating utensils)
1898
Giulano Vanghetti introduces
upper-limb prostheses powered
by muscle contractions
1863
Dubois L Parmelee improves artificial limbs
by utilizing suction to attach limbs to sockets.
Also introduces the multi-articulated foot
1945
National Academy of Sciences
establishes artificial limb program in
response to WWII veteran amputees.
Rapid progress in prosthetics arise
1980s
CAT-CAM socket is invented.
Improves general patient
rehabilitation as shown in
clinical trials
1980s
Myoelectric prostheses gain
popularity. Offers benefits
such as proportional control
through the use of sensors
2006
DARPA launches the
Revolutionizing Prosthetics
program. Aims to advance
upper-limb technology
2012
Quadripalegic woman
Jan Scheuerman
manipulates a robotic
arm through thought
2009
Muscle reinnervation (TMR)
prosthesis invented. Able to
control prosthesis by
thought + sensory feedback
2012
Zac Vawter uses his
TMR Myoelectric leg
to climb 103 steps of
Chicago’s Willis Tower
http://evolutionaryprosthetics.wordpress.com/
By Basim Al-Baker

2. 20
90
M
ilitary-funded advancements in prosthetics stagnate
2100s Prosthetics and Augmentation industries disrupted by Flexi-Hologram
2100s+ Scientists unlock the key to
cell
2017
DARPA breakthrough in wireless 2018 3D scanners and printers 2020 Amazon begins prin
ting
2015
Prosthetics offer an energy output and input
203
0s
Prosthetics split into two fields
2030s Prosthetics go the way of plastic surgery 2035 Prosthetics & Augmentation Regulatory Board
as warfare is largely unmanned
technology. Fully usable holographic artificial limbs are a reality
regeneration. Prosthetics
implant transmitting signals make individualised limbs
customised prosthetic
s
approaching those of the human counterpart
functional- realistic and
with unlicensed and licensed clinics.
(PARB) founded to regulate enhancements.
are no longer required
to prosthetics
for amputees
for home delivery
super-enhanced
Introduction of voluntary prosthesis
More than two super-enhancements illegal
http://evolutionaryprosthetics.wordpress.com/
Future of
Prosthetics
By Basim Al-Baker