Designs that make us superhuman - in pictures

The acoustic headband, a doubled-up gramophone ear trumpet, 1901-30. Believe it or not, these headbands were designed to be concealed within a large hat or a big hairdo Photograph: Science Museum, London

An early example of prosthetics: an artificial arm made of iron, from around 1560-1600. Around this time, prosthetic arms were often fitted to knights so they could hold up shields in battle, rather than to assist in everyday life Photograph: Science Museum, London

A silver prosthetic nose from the mid-19th century. Syphilis caused the destruction of the nose, which gave rise to 18th-century 'No-nose clubs'. This one was worn by a woman who had lost hers to the disease Photograph: Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons

An ivory dildo complete with a gizmo to simulate ejaculation, 1701-1800 Photograph: Science Museum, London

Some gas-powered artificial arms for a child, 1964 Photograph: Science Museum, London

Lower limb prostheses for a child from 1966 Photograph: Science Museum, London

The i-Limb ultra bionic prosthetic hand, currently the most advanced artificial hand available Photograph: Touch Bionics

A knitted breast prosthesis designed by the Lactation Consultants of Great Britain and Beryl Tsang, knitted in 2012 Photograph: Wellcome Images/Knitted by Louise Sargent

The Whizzinator was originally marketed as a way of delivering clean urine samples. It was sold as a kit, with heater packs, a false penis (available in several skin tones) and an instruction manual. The manufacturers were prosecuted for conspiracy to defraud the US government; the device is now sold as a sex toy Photograph: Wellcome Library, London

A motorised wheelchair with proximity detectors, designed in 1997 Photograph: The Estate of Donald G Rodney

Nasal surgery before and after shots, 1931 Photograph: Wellcome Library, London

More nasal surgery before and after images, 1931 Photograph: Wellcome Library, London

A hand-coloured illustration of an early prosthetic nose, 1561. This was designed by Ambroise Paré, one of the forefathers of surgery and prosthetics. He also invented artificial eyes and made them from enamelled gold, silver, porcelain and glass Photograph: Wellcome Library, London

A woman using a root vegetable dildo, 19th-century drawing Photograph: Wellcome Library, London

The Sandell-Gray Figure Trainer from 1911. Eugen Sandow was a pioneering bodybuilder who developed a series of 'muscle display performances' which he incorporated into a regime that became this book on how to achieve the ideal physique Photograph: Wellcome Images/Wellcome Library, London

An early example of 'spikes' – men's black leather spiked running shoes from the 1860s, manufactured by Brighton boot makers Thomas Dutton and Thorowgood Photograph: The Shoe Collection, Northampton Museums and Art Gallery

The original Nike Waffle-soled trainers from 1977 Photograph: The Shoe Collection, Northampton Museums and Art Gallery

Patent drawing for the original Nike Waffle-soled trainer. The patent was granted in 1978 Photograph: U.S Patent and Trademark Office