What Did People Do Before Mobility Vehicles?
Written on January 6, 2009 – 4:21 pm | by pooch
Since the invention of electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters, one wonders what the world was wonderful, with all these aids in our lives. The mobility of persons with disabilities have not had as much help as they do now, and certainly the government have resulted in new plans and benefits for such equipment more affordable.
However, even those who buy mobility scooters can find more profitable than those who are in need of electric wheelchairs. There are more insurance policies and procedures to adhere to those with motorcycles, despite securing a scooter is much more difficult than an electric wheelchair. Due to the difference in people using them, scooters are much cheaper than electric wheelchairs, and can only be used by people who are able to sit upright.
History
Perhaps the historical background of all mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs can be traced back to the beginning of the wheelchair in England and Europe during the 1670’s. This was primarily designed as a large cabinet on wheels, pushed by an attendant and not by the user. Much of the wheelchair users had no independence and requires the help of another person at all times.
Other registries, such as an engraving of the first wheelchair use in China dates back around 525 AD, which documented an image of someone sitting in a wheelchair, built on each leg. Subsequent recordings of the wheelchair are difficult to track until 1595, when a drawing made in Spain’s King Philip II was documented to be seated in a chair with wheels. However, this was designed for an employee or an attendant to maneuver.
Wheelchairs, but is widely used by attendants, in 1655 Stephen Farfler, a paraplegic watchmaker, had built a chair in a three-wheeled chassis with handles attached to the front wheels only. This was one of the first recordings of a user operating independently, without the need for a caretaker or agent.
The 19th century saw the wheelchair are less cumbersome and more freedom to maneuver with ease to the users themselves, as they were able to turn the rear wheels themselves. In 1881, manufacturers of wheelchair modified by adding a second with a small edge of the circumference of each wheel, making it easier for users to travel through muddy grounds without being a nuisance.
The 20th century saw the design of the wheelchair are focused on achieving greater independence for users, instead of keeping with the original design of a large cumbersome device. The first innovative changes made to the wheelchair are adjusting seats, furniture, rest feet and hands and wire-wheeled wheelchair that transformed from being a tool of a disability to help too.
In 1916, British engineers had built the first motorized wheelchair, which was not widely used until the latter part of the 20th century as manual wheelchairs are becoming cheaper. Harry Jennings in 1932 transformed the wheelchair again, for the invention of the first folding wheelchair making it much easier to store.
Over the years many amendments and extra accessories were added to the wheelchair, including a new mobility scooter used mainly for people with difficulties in movement, but have a good seat in an upright position. Electric wheelchairs and wheelchairs are still widely used and are now much more profitable in the purchase, maintenance and insurance.
Tags: China, England, Europe, Mobility scooter, Philip II of Spain, Scooter, Spain, wheelchair
Chairblog.net is an independent website designed to help you understand the challenges faced by people with physical limitations. It also includes useful information for people who rely on mobility aids - including tips on how to choose the right wheelchair. It also discusses the different options of products - including manual wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs, pediatric wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, wheelchair lifts, wheelchair vans and various accessories wheelchairs.
One Response to “What Did People Do Before Mobility Vehicles?”
By Mobility on Feb 24, 2009 | Reply
Amazed to see the wheelchair dates back that far.