Ceramic Shipley-type plate, England, 1915-1920

Vertical-sided dinner plate for men who had lost an arm during the First World War, designed by Arthur Everett Shipley, zoologist and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, made by Booths Ltd and supplied by T. Goode and Co., England, 1915-1920.

Eating a meal using only one hand can be difficult. This plate was invented by Arthur Everest Shipley (1861-1927), zoologist and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, in response to the needs of those injured during the First World War. It was specifically designed to help the many men who had lost an arm to be able to eat without the assistance of others.

Not dissimilar to a standard plate, Shipley’s design has short, vertical sides to provide a surface to push against and to help an amputee in getting food onto his fork or spoon. Shipley also designed a soup bowl for the same group of disabled men ( see A602813) and well as a page turner for those who had lost both arms (see A635095).