How have artificial limbs improved over the years?

Modern artificial limbs are more complex than ever.

Prosthetic limbs are not new inventions. There is evidence of artificial limbs being found in graves from around 3000 BC. People have been wearing glass eyes for thousands of years, and there have even been early foot prosthetics found amongst Ancient Egyptian burial sites.

The Romans were no stranger to false limbs too, with a Roman general Marcus Sergius famously having an iron hand made to hold his shield in battle after his real one was cut off. One of the most famous older prosthetic limbs belonged to Gottfried von Berlichingen in the 16th century. He had several quite sophisticated iron prosthetics that allowed him to fight, hold the reins of his horse, and even hold a quill. Throughout human history, we have been finding ways to replace the limbs we have lost - but thanks to technology we are now seeing massive leaps forward.

The Present

3D printing means it is now possible to make prosthetic limbs at a fraction of what it used to cost. These limbs are more complex than ever and can demonstrate many of the same motor functions as an organic limb. They are incredible feats of engineering, and a testament to those who have made them.

The work of teams such as Future Bionics and the Amputee Coalition allows children who need bionic limbs to learn some of the crucial motor skills that they will need for a full life with bionics, while growing and receiving new prosthetics when their old ones are too small for them.

The Future

What does the future of bionic limbs look like? Science fiction is full of examples of where we might see prosthetic limbs go in the future, from realistic prosthetics seen in Star Wars or Ghost in the Shell, to sophisticated machines like Geordi La Forge’s visor from Star Trek.

The research that is currently being undertaken in this field could serve to change many people’s lives. We have already managed to craft new legs for people to stand on and new arms that allow them to write and do lots of other things. Who knows what the next major development in bionics could bring!