People have been using personal mobility devices for many hundreds of years. Its history and benefit to society is well documented and known. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters, two popular types of mobility devices, have been greatly improved over the years, but there are also many other devices that have been used for thousands of years.
The first known image of a wheelchair was carved out of stone in the 6th century and King Felipe II, who was King of Spain during the 16th century, used a very elaborate wheelchair that had armrests and legrests. In the 18th century, the first wheelchair with a design similar to those available today was developed. It had large front wheels and a single rear wheel. In the 19th and 20th centuries, wheelchairs were built with wood and wicker designs. An American patent for this design was issued in 1894 and they were used by veterans of the Civil War and WWI.
The first folding wheelchair was designed in 1932 by two engineers, one of whom was injured in a mining accident. In 1950 the first electric wheelchair was designed. It was designed by an inventor named George Klein and was intended to help WWII veterans. Unlike the first war, many of the people who suffered spinal cord injuries had survived World War II, resulting in an influx of disabled veterans. During this time there were some advancements in manual wheelchair technology, but many quadriplegic people were still unable to use manual wheelchairs without assistance. Klein, backed by the Canadian government and many other scientists, spearheaded the development of a motorized wheelchair. Many soldiers and veterans were involved in creating the devices, and their design was heralded as one of the first times rehabilitation engineering was performed.
After the invention of the motorized wheelchair, many more advancements were made. Manual wheelchairs became much lighter and more maneuverable. Many athletes who had mobility problems pushed for more athletic models and there were many advances in the technology behind the motorized wheelchair.
Mobility scooters were first introduced in the late 1960s and by the early 1970s had become a very popular alternative to the electric wheelchair. Mobility scooters are more intended for people who can walk short distances, but find it painful to do so for long periods of time. A mobility scooter cannot be approached to a table or desk as easily as a wheelchair.
Modern mobility devices are highly advanced, run on electricity and have rechargeable batteries. The specific range of these devices can vary, but some can travel more than 40 miles per charge. There have also been many advances in non-motorized devices. The walker is a non-motorized mobility device that has been used in some way as long as the wheelchair. Modern walkers often have front wheels and are called rolling walkers or rollators. These types of devices are great because you can push the walker instead of having to lift it. They have handbrakes and also double as a chair.
As is often the case, humans have vastly improved the designs of early mobility devices. The models and types available today are some of the most reliable and dependable available and will provide many years of dependable service.