Christ鈥檚 College, Cambridge: Bespoke Innovation for Debilitated Soldiers
Developing items to help rehabilitate servicemen who had lost a hand or arm
During World War over 41,000 servicemen lost one or more limbs.
Cambridge professor Arthur Everett Shipley, Master of Christ鈥檚 College from 1910-1927, had read zoology. His work on parasitic worms resulted in a 1915 publication 鈥淭he minor horrors of war鈥 highlighting the tiny creatures that lurked in the trenches and how to treat them.
After observing the wounded at the 1st Eastern general hospital and the men he helped to convalesce at his college quarters he set about to invent some aids to help those who had lost limbs.
For those who had lost hands, a page turner for books propped on pillows and for the one armed a deep sided plate and egg cup holder to allow independent feeding.
Shipley continued to write throughout his career and supported the men on the front line by sponsoring a YMCA Christ鈥檚 College hut at Flanders; sending books and gramophone records to boost morale.
Location: Christ鈥檚 College, St Andrew鈥檚 Street, Cambridge CB2 3BU
Image: An egg stand invented by Professor Shipley. Photograph courtesy of Science Museum London.
Duration:
This clip is from
Featured in...
Innovations—World War One At Home
Where war was the mother of invention
大象传媒 Radio Cambridgeshire—World War One At Home
Places in Cambridgeshire that tell a story of World War One
Technology—World War One At Home
Wartime pioneers and innovation
More clips from World War One At Home
-
The loss of HMY Iolaire
Duration: 18:52
-
Scotland, Slamannan and the Argylls
Duration: 07:55
-
Scotland Museum of Edinburgh mourning dress
Duration: 06:17
-
Scotland Montrose 'GI Brides'
Duration: 06:41