SHOP WORK with a CARNES ARTIFICIAL ARM (Jun, 1924)
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
I have seen one of these wow way ahead of its time .would like to build modern version .I too am a amputee and have a modern machine shop in Tasmania Australia .Can anybody help? email mark@dynamicwelding.com
Comment by mark lesek — July 19, 2009 @ 7:50 am
Here
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.u.....px?id=5783
http://www.ingenious.org.uk/si.....D=1999-528
http://www.google.com/patents?.....038;zoom=4
http://www.google.com/patents?.....038;zoom=4
http://www.google.com/patents?.....#038;cad=1
Comment by Firebrand38 — July 19, 2009 @ 10:40 am
Good find Firebrand38! Our family still has all the original patent drawings and information. It’s quite interesting to see that Google has all that indexed now.
Mark Lesek: Let me know if I can help with your project. Exciting!
Comment by John Carnes — July 19, 2009 @ 5:39 pm
john carnes please email me regards mark lesek
Comment by mark lesek — July 20, 2009 @ 12:34 am
has anybody a carnes arm I can borrow to replicate a modern version? please email mark@dynamicwelding.com
Comment by mark lesek — July 21, 2009 @ 7:06 am
Mark, you have an e-mail.
Comment by John Carnes — July 23, 2009 @ 10:12 am
Dear John,
I left the email on number 9 but here it is again. Mark at Dynamic
Comment by Mark Lesek — July 23, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
Mark: Actually I meant to say that I sent you an e-mail. You should have gotten it by now.
Comment by John Carnes — July 23, 2009 @ 10:22 pm
Hello John
I haven’t yet received your email, please try again, you should get through by clicking on the email link. If you wish to leave your email address I shall contact you
Thanks, Mark
Comment by Mark Lesek — July 26, 2009 @ 7:30 pm
e-mail enroute again.
Comment by John Carnes — July 26, 2009 @ 8:18 pm
I hope to remake these arms in Tasmania Australia with the encourgement of the inventors grandson John Carnes and family.I have a original 1912 and will build a modern replica with modern materials in my modern machine shop.I too am a right hand above elbow amputee who has the determination need and resorces to make this a reality.These arms have some features that even modern arms lack.They have been forgotten abour for seventy years.Please email me if you have a need or support this exciting project. mark@dynamicwelding.com My website is http://www.dynamicwelding.com or google my name in mark lesek and see what comes up.I need your support.
Comment by mark lesek — October 16, 2009 @ 11:29 pm