James Edward Hanger
James Edward Hanger | |
|---|---|
 Hanger taken by C. M. Bell Studio c. 1905 | |
| Born | February 25, 1843 |
| Died | June 9, 1919 (aged 76) |
| Citizenship | American |
| Known for | Confederate States Army veteran, prosthetist, founder of J. E. Hanger, Inc. (Now Hanger Clinic) |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Spouse | Nora McCarthy (married 1879) |
| Children | Princetta Alice James Edward Herbert Blair McCarthy Hugh Hamilton Henry Hoover Albert Sidney |
| Parent(s) | William Alexander Hanger Eliza Hogshed Hanger |
James Edward Hanger (February 25, 1843 – June 9, 1919) was a Confederate States Army veteran of the American Civil War, a prosthetist and a businessman. It is reported that he became the first amputee of the war after being struck in the leg by a cannonball.[1] Hanger subsequently designed and created his own prosthesis, then went on to found a prosthetic company that continues in business today.[2]
Early life and war service
Hanger was born at Mount Hope, his father's plantation near
Author Robert J. Driver, Jr., in his book The 14th Virginia Cavalry, documents Hanger's firsthand account of this experience:
The first two shots were canister and directed at the Cavalry Camps, the third shot was a 6 pound solid shot aimed at a stable in which the Churchville Cavalry Company had slept. This shot struck the ground, richochetted (sic), entering the stable and struck me. I remained in the stable til they came looking for plunder, about four hours after I was wounded. My limb was amputated by Dr. James D. Robinson, 16th Ohio Volunteers.
Hanger's shattered leg was amputated about seven inches below the hip bone. This loss of limb is said to have been the first such occurrence of a war that saw more than 50,000 additional amputations performed.[4]
Hanger remained in Philippi for several weeks and then was sent to Camp Chase in Ohio. In August 1861, he was returned to his family home in Virginia in a prisoner of war exchange.
Recovery and invention
Dissatisfied with both the fit and the function of his above-knee prosthesis, Hanger designed a new prosthesis constructed of whittled barrel staves and metal. His design used rubber bumpers rather than standard catgut tendons and featured hinges at both the knee and ankle. Hanger patented his limb in 1871[5] and it has received numerous additional patents for improvements and special devices which have brought international reputation to the product.[1] The Virginia state government commissioned Hanger to manufacture the above-knee prosthesis for other wounded soldiers. Manufacturing operations for J.E. Hanger, Inc., were established in the cities of Staunton and Richmond. The company eventually moved to Washington, D.C.
Other inventions credited to Hanger include a horseless carriage (used as a toy by his children); an adjustable reclining chair; a water turbine; a
Hanger married Nora McCarthy in Richmond in 1873. The couple had two daughters (Princetta and Alice) and six sons (James Edward, Herbert Blair, McCarthy, Hugh Hamilton, Henry Hoover and Albert Sidney). The family moved to Washington, D.C., in the 1880s, and their home near
Hanger retired from active management of the company in 1905, however he retained the title of president. In 1915, he traveled to Europe to observe firsthand the latest techniques of European prosthetists. As a result, the company received contracts with both England and France during and after
Hanger's children and grandchildren, along with in-laws, cousins and other associates, continued operating and expanding the company.
References
- ^ ISBN 0-930919-60-2
- ISBN 0-8160-1055-2
- ^ ISBN 0-19-522202-4
- ^ a b c "He Lost His Leg and Gave it to Thousands," The West Virginia Hillbilly, May 27, 1961.
- ^ "History of the United States Patent Office, Appendix. Patent # 155, 03/23/1863, James E. Hanger of Staunton, VA, for Artificial Limb". www.myoutbox.net. Archived from the original on 2009-02-05. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
- ^ "Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. -- Company History". www.fundinguniverse.com. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
- ^ Hanger Annual Report 2007, Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics, Retrieved 2/23/2009. Archived 2008-10-03 at the Wayback Machine