Prosthetic Timeline

By miller.peterson02
  • 900 BCE

    First Prosthetic

    First Prosthetic
    The first prosthetic was a right big toe made of wood and leather. It was found on the foot of an ancient mummy.
  • 600 BCE

    Greville Chester Toe

    Greville Chester Toe
    This was the second known version of a prosthetic toe. It was made of a type of plaster or paper mache
  • 300 BCE

    Capua Leg

    Capua Leg
    This is the oldest artificial leg found. It was made of iron and bronze with a wooden core
  • 600

    Peg Legs and Hook Hands

    Peg Legs and Hook Hands
    The Dark Ages brought about prosthetics specific to helping knights return to battling. These were fitted by craftsmen and very expensive, but if constructed correctly, could help a soldier walk again or carry their shield into battle.
  • 1508

    Renaissance Advancements

    Renaissance Advancements
    A German soldier lost his right arm in battle and a pair of iron hands were created for him. It used springs and leather straps to move the hand and was the first prosthetic that had some sort of mobility or flexing abilities.
  • 1536

    Kneeling Peg Leg

    Kneeling Peg Leg
    Surgeon Ambroise Pare created a device placed above the knee with a foot prosthetic and the ability to flex and extend the knee. This allowed for better mobility.

  • Selpho Leg

    Selpho Leg
    James Potts created a leg with a steel knee joint and a way to control the foot with tendons attached to the knee. This built off previous models to make for more efficient mobility.

  • World War II Prosthetic Limbs

    World War II Prosthetic Limbs
    Prosthetic Limbs throughout World War II and after were made of wood and leather. They were also very heavy and hard to clean.

  • Carbon Fiber Prosthetic Limbs

    Carbon Fiber Prosthetic Limbs
    Carbon fiber began to be used in the creation, making the prosthetic limbs much lighter. Also, each limb was custom made for each patient to create a comfortable and individualized fit.

  • First Bionic Arm

    First Bionic Arm
    Created by a team of bio-engineers in Edinburgh, the bionic limb combines robotics, electronics, and biotechnology to create a machine that helps amputees function similar to non-amputees.

  • Modern Day Advancements

    Modern Day Advancements
    In the past 20 years, prosthetic technology has come a long way. We now have prosthetic limbs that can feel things and that can be controlled by your brain.

  • Future Developments

    Future Developments
    In the future, the technology of prosthetic limbs will become so advanced that they will be able to function as well as actual limbs and perhaps even better.