The earliest known description of a string figure, presented as the surgical sling Plinthios Brokhos by Greek physician Heraklas, is among the preserved material.
ðɪ ˈɜːlɪɪst nˈoʊn dᵻskɹˈɪpʃən əvə stɹˈɪŋ fˈɪɡjɚ, pɹɪzˈɛntᵻd æz ðə sˈɜːdʒɪkəl slˈɪŋ plˈɪnθɪˌoʊz bɹˈɑːkoʊz baɪ ɡɹˈiːk fɪzˈɪʃən hˈɛɹækləz, ɪz ɐmˌʌŋ ðə pɹɪzˈɜːvd mətˈɪɹiəl.