SHOP WORK with a CARNES ARTIFICIAL ARM (Jun, 1924)
Source: Popular Mechanics ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Jun, 1924
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SHOP WORK with a CARNES ARTIFICIAL ARM
FOR nearly ten years a Carnes Artificial Arm has kept Mr. Pahhe Yazze of Lawrence, Kan., on the payroll as a draftsman and machinist at a good salary. Thousands of other mechanics, artisans, office workers, farmers and laborers owe their independence to this improved arm.
Life-Like in Action and AppearanceThe Carnes Arm cannot be detected from the natural except by close inspection. Its user can dress himself, use knife, fork, pen, pencil and keys; pick up large or small objects, carry grips—in fact, do virtually everything that was possible before. He can bend the elbow of the Carnes Arm, bend and turn the wrist and open and close the fingers at will, even if the amputation is at the shoulder.
A book of 192 pages, profusely illustrated with photographs showing what can be done with this remarkable invention, will be sent free to any person interested Send for it now.
CARNES ARTIFICIAL LIMB CO..
208 Carnes Bldg., Kansas City, Mo.
I’d like to know how this worked. Or was supposed to work. As far as I know, artificial limbs now days can’t do all that.
Comment by Anne — April 8, 2008 @ 6:42 pm
This was an invention by my grandfather, William T. Carnes, Sr. He had lost his right arm at the shoulder in a machine shop accident and he was an inventor so he made himself an arm. The arm was fully functional and had movable fingers and thumb. It functioned much like a real arm but with limitations of mechanics in those days. The product sold very well with the U.S. military buying many of them for soldiers who had lost limbs (yes, they made legs too). The company folded during the Great Depression. The Smithsonian has an arm and it is in a rotating display of artificial limbs. Our family has lots of information on the arm and the company.
Comment by John Carnes — December 1, 2008 @ 12:04 pm
And here’s another little reference:
http://www.christies.com/LotFi.....ID=3758676
Christie’s Auction house sold an arm in 1994. Interesting, but the picture isn’t there.
Comment by John Carnes — December 1, 2008 @ 12:11 pm
I WAS A WEARER OF CARNES ARMS AT THE AGE OF 13 IN 1940 FITTED WITH ONE ABOVE ELBOW AND ONE BELOW ELBOW AT THE KANSAS CITY FACILITY. I MET WILLIAM T CARNES AND MY PHOTOS WERE
DEPICTED ON THEIR BROCHURES……..THESE ARMS WERE A GREAT PIECE OF ENGINEERING.
Comment by JERRY LEAVY — March 28, 2009 @ 10:56 am