From imagination to achievements: the history of neuroprosthetics in the Hall of Inventions

Neuroprosthetics and neuroimplants represent a field of science and technology that has seen remarkable advancements over the past few decades. However, the history of mass production of controllable neuroprosthetics and neuroimplants began much earlier, when ideas about the interaction between the human brain and technology first emerged in science fiction literature. The Hall of Inventions at the National Centre RUSSIA tells visitors about this and much more.

The ancestor of the bionic prosthesis is considered to be the mechanical "iron hand," developed in the 16th century. It mimicked the appearance of a limb, operated by pressing a button, and allowed users to bend fingers and grasp large objects.

The first designs of bionic forearm prostheses were created in 1956 under the guidance of Doctor of Biological Sciences Yakov Slavutsky. By 1961, the USSR had begun industrial production of such devices with bioelectric control.

In 1981, twelve years before the start of mass production of controllable bionic neuroprosthetics in the United Kingdom, William Gibson wrote in his science fiction story "Johnny Mnemonic" about such technologies: "Among the crowd, muscular boys roam here and there. Some are so covered in artificial muscles that their figures can hardly be called human anymore."

"Later, I guessed that they had amputated part of his left thumb, somewhere past the first joint, and replaced it with a hollow prosthesis that housed a coil and an Ono-Sendai pseudo-diamond emitter," Gibson further imagined in his work.

In 2017, the Motorica company, in collaboration with Alfa-Bank, developed a prosthetic model capable of making contactless payments. Just two years later, researchers from Carnegie Mellon University successfully created the world's first mind-controlled robotic hand. 

In the 21st century, neuroprosthetics technology has taken another leap forward. The emergence of neuroimplants that can not only stimulate but also read brain signals has opened new horizons for science. Yet again, William Gibson's visionary ideas anticipated these breakthroughs: "The information I take for safekeeping is entered through a chain of modified prosthetics usually used in contraautism microsurgery." 

Forty-three years before the implantation of a neuroimplant in a human brain, the author of "Johnny Mnemonic" wrote about this in his books as follows: "He rose from the water, showing us the plates along his sides, encrusted with a residue — another visual trick; the strength and lightness of his movements were constrained by a scale of absurd prehistoric armor. Two bulges on either side of his skull were designed to house sensory devices."

In 2016, scientists at the University of Calgary developed a bionic neurochip capable of collecting information for months with unprecedented precision. The first successful implantation of a neurochip in a human was performed by Neuralink in 2024.

The history of neuroprosthetics and neuroimplants is not only a remarkable journey from science to practice but also another testament to how the imagination of science fiction writers can influence technological progress and reshape our understanding of human potential.

Visit the National Centre RUSSIA and see it for yourself. Free guided tours of the expositions start every 15 minutes at the main information desk. We welcome guests daily, except Mondays, from 10:00 to 20:00.