On the occasion of the European protest day for equality for people with disabilities on May 5, the Technical Museum Vienna presented its newly designed area for prosthetics as part of a media appointment. This is part of the permanent exhibition “everyday life. A instructions for use” and is dedicated to the interaction of technology, body and social participation.
Prosthetics in the museum
Prosthetics have a permanent place in the Technical Museum: as an interface of medicine, engineering and social progress, it stands as an example of technology that directly intervenes in everyday life. The development of artificial limbs is not only shaped by technical innovations, but also by social and political upheavals – for example due to the increasing number of disused by the progress of war technology.
In addition to historical and contemporary objects, several media stations provide personal insights into life with prostheses. Video interviews – including with a Ukrainian soldier – let different people have their say who can use prosthetics to lead an autonomous life and reflect individual perspectives on a technology that is in the service of humans.
As part of the media appointment on April 30, 2025, the ambassador of Ukraine, Vasyl Khymynet, left the museum several leg prostheses from Ukraine. Harald Sima, Head of Development, and Fabian Osswald, Head of Orthopaedic Technology, were also present by Ottobock. The foot parts of the presented leg prostheses come from the Ottobock company, which the Technical Museum Vienna has been supporting prosthetics with objects and loans for many years. The plastic legs left by Ambassador Khymynets do without electronic elements – a strong contrast to the highly developed and expensive prosthesis technology.
The new prosthetic area is accessible to visitors: inside from May 15, 2025.
Statements
“The TMW not only shows technology – behind every object and every technological development there is a story that wants to be told. Technical progress is always closely linked to people and current events. The leg prostheses that have found its way into the collection due to the war in Ukraine.”
Peter Aufiter, General Director TMW
“These prostheses are more than just exhibits. They are witnesses to the war, human suffering and at the same time an incredible mental strength. They do not symbolize the defeat, but the recovery. We pass on them today to remind you of the price of freedom and that people can get up again even after the hardest losses – literally and symbolic.”
Vasyl Khymynets, Ambassador of Ukraine in the Republic of Austria
“Ottobock helps people to maintain or recover their freedom of movement. It is personally a matter close to my heart to bring people closer to prosthetics and orthics. To create awareness that the little things in everyday life and independently manage as an independent man, without being able to go shopping freely or without being able to take part in the life without a wheelchair, make the big difference for those affected. A lot in the field of functionality and user friendliness.
Harald Sima, Head of Development, Otto Bock Healthcare Products GmbH Wien
Information on barrier -free placements and offers in the TMW:
tmw.at/barrierefreies_programm
Barrier -free journey to the TMW:
tmw.at/barrierefrei