Comments on: One Myth About Fingerprints Debunked: They Don't Help People Keep a Grip

By: GT

GT — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:04:48 +0000

You all are way off base on this one…..The function of Fingerprints is to remove cellular waste deposited om the skin by the lymphatic system.

By: Silverfish

Silverfish — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:08:36 +0000

Perhaps fingerprints are there so that we can control the amount of friction produced. Depending on how hard one presses it is easy to imagine that this effects the ridges. This could control how much skin is actually in contact with the surface, and thus how much friction is experienced.

By: Martijn van Mensvoort

Martijn van Mensvoort — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:56:46 +0000

Interesting stuff…

I think the title & debate about this research is a bit misleading, for fingerprints have multiple ‘effects’:

The research has described that our skin behaves like RUBBER, which implicates that CONTACT SURFACE is needed to enhance a grip. And because of the ridges of the fingerprints (bumbs and holes) the contact surface is about 33% lower compared to a flat skin. In that sense the fingerprints to not provide a positive effect on our hand grip.

However, Roland Ennos also stated that fingerprints are likely to sort of protect the skin: the prevent the process of blistering. And in that sense fingerprints are very important for the efficiency of our hand grip!!

You can read more details + quite a few quotes from the researcher in the following article:

http://www.handresearch.com/news/fingerprints-unlikely-increase-hand-grip-friction.htm

Including a podcast with a Roland Ennos interview about his findings!

Thanks for the discussion + greetings from The Netherlands,

Martijn.

By: Allen

Allen — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:31:41 +0000

The ridges could also help form a type of minuscule vacuum that could aid in grip. Ever notice when your hands are just a little bit sweaty it is much easier to grip things and they almost seem to stick. This small amount of moisture could be creating an air tight seal that could only be made possible through ridges or suction cups….we just happen to have ridges. I have to call BS on this article.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:59:03 +0000

“When, in the course of work, I accidentally cut a fingertip, I experience a kind of creepy loss of tension.”

endorphin response to injury, maybe?

By: teabaggs

teabaggs — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:19:08 +0000

…however in the end the species died out; for even with their grip enhancing fingerprints they were still unable to scale the acrylic tree and fetch themselves some bananas to eat.

By: Skwish

Skwish — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:37:50 +0000

Several years ago I tore a fingernail off. Until it grew back, I lost my ability to grip things with the finger in question. Having fingerprints was no help at all. I think it’s the nails that give our grip strength. When, in the course of work, I accidentally cut a fingertip, I experience a kind of creepy loss of tension. Maybe that means something.

By: Dennis

Dennis — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:36:23 +0000

It could also be that the ridges of our fingerprints deform in order to improve contact, and thus grip, with rough surfaces. I would say our ancestors had much more experience with rough objects than smooth and the improved grip on rocks and branches represented an evolutionary advantage.

Also, no mention of the role of calluses in the equation.

Also, an “n” of one? Really?