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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle

Designs that make us superhuman - in pictures

Wellcome Collection: Acoustic headband
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
Wellcome Collection: Iron artificial arm, Europe, 1560-1600
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
Wellcome Collection: Silver prosthetic nose
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
Wellcome Collection: Ivory dildo
An ivory dildo complete with a gizmo to simulate ejaculation, 1701-1800 Photograph: Science Museum, London
Wellcome Collection: CO2 gas-powered artificial arms
Some gas-powered artificial arms for a child, 1964 Photograph: Science Museum, London
Wellcome Collection: Lower limb prostheses, Roehampton, England, 1966
Lower limb prostheses for a child from 1966 Photograph: Science Museum, London
Wellcome Collection: i-limb ultra prosthetic hand
The i-Limb ultra bionic prosthetic hand, currently the most advanced artificial hand available Photograph: Touch Bionics
Wellcome Collection: Knitted breast prosthesis
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
Wellcome Collection: Whizzinator (tan)
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
Wellcome Collection: Motorised wheelchair with proximity detectors
A motorised wheelchair with proximity detectors, designed in 1997 Photograph: The Estate of Donald G Rodney
Wellcome Collection: Nasal surgery
Nasal surgery before and after shots, 1931 Photograph: Wellcome Library, London
Wellcome Collection: Nasal surgery
More nasal surgery before and after images, 1931 Photograph: Wellcome Library, London
Wellcome Collection: Hand coloured illustration of a prosthetic nose
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
Wellcome Collection: A woman using a dildo in the form of a root vegetable
A woman using a root vegetable dildo, 19th-century drawing Photograph: Wellcome Library, London
Wellcome Collection: The Sandell-Gray Figure Trainer
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
Wellcome Collection: A pair of men's black leather spiked running shoes
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
Wellcome Collection: Nike Waffle Trainers
The original Nike Waffle-soled trainers from 1977 Photograph: The Shoe Collection, Northampton Museums and Art Gallery
Wellcome Collection: Nike waffle soled trainer patent drawing
Patent drawing for the original Nike Waffle-soled trainer. The patent was granted in 1978 Photograph: U.S Patent and Trademark Office
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