By the 1930s, spinal braces had evolved into refined orthopedic supports made from lightweight steel or aluminum, replacing earlier hand-forged iron designs. Precision hinges and adjustable clamps improved fit and function, but the purpose remained the same: immobilizing the spine for conditions such as scoliosis, spinal tuberculosis (Pott’s disease), and post-surgical recovery. These metal braces remained in use until mid-20th-century plastic orthotics replaced them.
The design traces back to 16th-century surgeon Ambroise Paré (1510–1590), who, working with armorers, developed rigid iron spinal corsets with perforated plates for weight reduction and airflow, and to drastically reduce the weight of the apparatus and allow the patient’s skin to breathe.
The only one I have encountered is in the collection of the International Museum of Surgical Science in Chicago.
