On Jun. 3, 1861, James Edward Hanger becomes the first amputee of the American Civil War. By the end of the year, Mr. Hanger invented a revolutionary prosthetic leg called the ‘Hanger Limb’ for himself and began manufacturing the devices to aid fellow wounded soldiers.

Hanger’s personal success with his innovative articulating knee joint resulted in his desire to help others who had also suffered limb loss, and the remainder of his life was dedicated to serving those with physical challenges.

Early on, he was commissioned to develop prosthetic limbs for wounded soldiers and he did so throughout his career, eventually expanding his service to civilians as well. Even a decade after he retired, his dedication to others remained steadfast.

In 1915, Hanger traveled to Europe to help advance prosthetic care for those wounded during World War I. He was so highly regarded in the field, that by the time of his death in June 1919, the J.E. Hanger Company had branches in Atlanta, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, London, and Paris.

In 1989, J. E. Hanger, Inc. of Washington, D.C., was purchased by Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. and became part of their wholly owned subsidiary, Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics.