Cultural and social theory perspectives A number of theorists have explored the meaning and implications of prosthetic extension of the body. Elizabeth Grosz writes, "Creatures use tools, ornaments, and appliances to augment their bodily capacities. Are their bodies lacking something, which they need to replace with artificial or substitute organs?...Or conversely, should prostheses be understood, in terms of aesthetic reorganization and proliferation, as the consequence of an inventiveness that functions beyond and perhaps in defiance of pragmatic need?" Elaine Scarry argues that every artifact recreates and extends the body. Chairs supplement the skeleton, tools append the hands, clothing augments the skin. In Scarry's thinking, "furniture and houses are neither more nor less interior to the human body than the food it absorbs, nor are they fundamentally different from such sophisticated prosthetics as artificial lungs, eyes and kidneys. The consumption of manufactured things turns the body inside out, opening it up to and as the culture of objects." Mark Wigley, a professor of architecture, continues this line of thinking about how architecture supplements our natural capabilities, and argues that "a blurring of identity is produced by all prostheses." Some of this work relies on Freud's earlier characterization of man's relation to objects as one of extension. Notable users of prosthetic devices Marie Moentmann (1900–1974), child survivor of industrial accident Terry Fox (1958–1981), Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and cancer research activist Oscar Pistorius (born 1986), South African former professional sprinter See also Artificial heart Bionics Capua Leg Cybernetics Cyborg Robotic arm Transhumanism Whole brain emulation References Citations Sources 'Biomechanics of running: from faulty movement patterns come injury.' Sports Injury Bulletin. Edelstein, J. E. Prosthetic feet. State of the Art. Physical Therapy 68(12) Dec 1988: 1874–1881. Gailey, Robert. The Biomechanics of Amputee Running. October 2002. External links Afghan amputees tell their stories at Texas gathering, Fayetteville Observer Can modern prosthetics actually help reclaim the sense of touch?, PBS Newshour A hand for Rick, Fayetteville Observer What is prosthesis, prosthetic limb and its various component I have one of the most advanced prosthetic arms in the world – and I hate it by Britt H. Young A systematic review of randomised controlled trials assessing effectiveness of prosthetic and orthotic interventions Biological engineering Biomedical engineering Egyptian inventions Iranian inventions