Prosthetics
The military’s reconstruction work included providing all amputees with artificial limbs. Although the nation had a thriving artificial limb industry, the military launched a program to design more economical, standardized, modern limbs. The initiative gave medical professionals oversight of prosthetic construction and use. In previous military conflicts, veterans received an allowance to purchase limbs directly from prosthetic makers.
Carnes artificial arm, around 1915
The Carnes arm had a complicated mechanism that controlled the movement of wrist and fingers. Although expensive, it was very popular in the United States and Europe at the time of the war.
Trautman split hook, 1920s
The split hook was better for grasping tools and more practical and durable for heavy labor. David W. Dorrance patented the split hook in 1912, and Ray Trautman modified the design in 1918.
