History

Artificial Arm by Science Museum Group on Sketchfab

This prosthetic (artificial replacement) arm was made in 1904 for a professional pianist – a woman called Elizabeth Burton, who developed an infection in her arm after a fishbone became stuck under her thumbnail. At the time there were no antibiotics, so the infection quickly spread and surgeons had to amputate her arm at the elbow. The prosthetic arm made for Burton had padded fingers and a wide span, features that enabled her to keep playing the piano so she could still make a living for her family. The arm worked so well that she used it to perform a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in 1906.