Design :: Inventing Ourselves :: Smithsonian Lemelson Center

Inventors must always consider whether to imitate the human form or ignore appearances and try to capture human function. Limbs and hands that look like the real thing have the advantage of being less noticeable or provocative to onlookers. But designs that move beyond actual physical form and re-create bodily function in startling and creative ways may be more efficient and durable and less fatiguing to use.

Photograph of Van Philips running on beach

Learn more about Van Phillips, inventor of the Flex-Foot.

19th Century

Photograph of arm with grabber, articulated wooden hand, and articulated wooden hand for a woman

Photograph of peg-leg patent model and drawing of artificial legs

Arm with grabber, made from a rifle stock, early 19th century
Articulated (jointed) wooden hand, 19th century
Articulated wooden hand for a woman, 19th century

Peg-leg patent model, 1872
Drawing of artificial legs, from Condell's Artificial Limbs, 1897

20th Century

Photograph of split-hook hand, demonstration hand, and jointed latex hand

Photograph of male leg with shoe and sock, sprinter's carbon leg, and flex-foot with shock absorber

Split-hook hand, 1970s
Demonstration hand, with open back to show the mechanism, 1970s
Jointed latex hand, 1970s

Male leg with shoe and sock, 1970s
Sprinter’s carbon-fiber leg, invented by Van Phillips, 1990s
Flex-Foot, and shock absorber, invented by Van Phillips, late 1990s

		Related Resources

		Soldiers visit the museum to demonstrate their prosthetic hands

		Innovative Lives with Van Phillips

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