The evolution of bionic bodies, devices and their social worlds

This paper examines the evolution of key embodiments and representations of the 'bionic man' and its body parts to discuss the dynamics of the social worlds and the political economy of medical devices. The long and challenging journey of how to build body parts and devices at the interfaces of bodies, machines, animals and computers - such as prosthetics, implants and artificial organs - to repair, replace and enhance damaged parts of the human body and the full bionic man has received so far limited investigation. Medical devices that initially were considered controversial are now fully accepted and integrated in our bodies and everyday lives, mostly black boxed and taken for granted (e.g. pacemakers and artificial hearts). However, the convergence of info-, bio- and nano-technologies is creating complex configurations of bodies, new and old devices, and data that deserve attention and should be unpacked, as well as the dynamics of their social worlds examined. In this paper I analyse key embodiments and representations of the bionic man using historical, archival and visual methods. These artefacts are useful sites to study the evolution of temporary actualizations and materializations of medical devices, their social worlds and political economy. This paper contributes to advancing a critical discussion of the ethical, social and legal dimensions and implications of the evolution of smart health technologies and complex configurations of bodies, devices and data.