Is it a modern day invention?
Toe prostheses made by Daril Atkins during the 1990s

Is it a modern day invention?

Certainly not! If you consider all the pertinent factors around current Anaplastology, the need for such prostheses existed long ago. I do not have permission to use the image of the toe prosthesis found by archaeologists dating back to ancient Egypt. Surely you know about it.

You probably know about artificial eyes made from quartz, chalcedony, and agate. In that era, the making of statues included the making of artificial eyes. The Romans who controlled Egypt at that time took such craftsmen to Rome. They then became known as 'Faber Ocularius' the maker of artificial eyes. They were followed centuries later by the glass eye makers.

?Limb prostheses were made by the same craftsmen who made armor and thus developed into a profession earlier. Cosmetic prostheses (Anaplastology) were probably not taken seriously. Wars were frequent and trauma was expected. Even though the early limb prostheses were crude, heavy, and not comfortable, they were made in large numbers.

?Anaplastology or its version at the beginning of the twentieth century entered the mainstream during the First World War. The tin nose shop must take the credit. That is not to say that there was no effort preceding that event. Pioneers tried a variety of materials during the nineteenth century and the development continued into the twentieth century. The development took off with the advent of acrylic and in the sixties, silicone polymers became available.

?When I use the word threads, it refers to influencing factors. The presence or absence of these factors will influence the progress of development. When I use the word fabric, it refers to the way the influencing threads were interwoven. With the passing of years, decades, and centuries, some threads disappeared, and others took their place. The threads of materials like silicone polymers; the thread of osseointegration implants; and recently the thread of disruptive digital technology have changed the patterns on the fabric.

?In conclusion, your ability to predict the new threads that may appear will help you see the new patterns of the fabric and prepare yourself to pioneer this field.

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