Look: Eames-Inspired Prosthetic Leg Design Austin

Look: Eames-Inspired Prosthetic Leg Design
Austin

The designs of Charles and Ray Eames have inspired countless other fields since they first appeared. We’ve never seen Eames’ inspirations in the medical field before—until now. We really admire this designer’s ability to handle a sensitive subject in such a sophisticated, creative and respectful way. More after the jump…

The design for the Eames-Inspired prosthetic leg started with the desire to come up with a suitable answer to the question: How can a prosthetic leg retain functionality, but also be beautiful? Observant designer Joanna M. Hawley noticed three things about current prosthetic legs: they lacked humanity, style and grace.

Using the materials and style of Eames' furniture as inspiration, interviewing amputees in several stages of acceptance and meeting with skin color specialists, Hawley came up with this version of a prosthetic leg. You can read more about the project at Hawley's website: joannahawley.com.

What do you think?

Comments (9)

Wonderful! living in Utah, I see lots of skiers with prosthetics sporting the new hi-tech semi-borg style legs. I think these are beautiful in a whole different way.

posted by kimg924 on August 20th 2008 at 12:03pm
view kimg924's profile

nearly full circle from the bent ply leg braces the Eameses made during the war

posted by pvett on August 20th 2008 at 12:03pm
view pvett's profile

Pvett, I was just going to mention that. I think it's interesting and impressive that the Eames' war-time innovations in bending wood translated into post-war furniture, and now this. It's a good example of innovation in the design process.

posted by visualingual on August 20th 2008 at 12:24pm
view visualingual's profile

I just watched the women's 10K marathon swim on the Olympics, and the South African competitor has a prosthetic leg. Hers looked like it was all metal and pretty heavy duty, but it had a certain beauty to it, like this leg. They both look better than the flesh-colored plastic legs.

posted by fancyd on August 20th 2008 at 12:52pm
view fancyd's profile

I can't believe AT didn't mention the splint in the post.

http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A1671&page_number=3&template_id=1&sort_order=1

I love the site, but time to lift your game a little...

posted by maggieann on August 20th 2008 at 1:29pm
view maggieann's profile

/\/\ Ditto Maggieann

posted by bepsf on August 20th 2008 at 2:10pm
view bepsf's profile

Ugh. Penny loafers with shorts.

posted by Michael W. on August 20th 2008 at 2:33pm
view Michael W.'s profile

Well this post *is* from Texas.

posted by charlenemcbride on August 20th 2008 at 4:16pm
view charlenemcbride's profile

Absolutely beautiful. I love how even the grain of the wood is made to imply where muscles would travel.

posted by Avinony on September 3rd 2008 at 12:33pm
view Avinony's profile