Artificial left leg, Roehampton, England, 1926

Made:
1926 in Roehampton
maker:
Hanger Orthopaedic Group, Inc
Artificial left leg, leather and duralumin alloy, English Artificial left leg, leather and duralumin alloy, English

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Artificial left leg, leather and duralumin alloy, English
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Artificial left leg, leather and duralumin alloy, English
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Artificial left leg, leather and duralumin alloy, English, by Hanger, dated 1926

Until well into the 1900s, the only artificial limbs available to many amputees were simple peg legs and hooks. The number of injured servicemen requiring false limbs after the First World War resulted in improved designs and new materials. This false leg is made from leather and Duralumin. Duralumin is an aluminium and copper alloy. It was used in airships because of its lightness and strength. The leg was made by the Hanger company at Queen Mary’s Hospital, Roehampton in west London. Queen Mary’s opened in 1915. It became a major centre for artificial limb-making and fitting.

Details

Category:
Orthopaedics
Object Number:
1981-2026
Materials:
leather, alloy (duralumin) and complete
Measurements:
overall: 910 mm x 265 mm, 150 mm, 2.38 kg
type:
artificial leg
credit:
D.H.S.S. (Russell Sq.)