Wheelchair

Wheelchair

A wheelchair is a mobile chair equipped with wheels, designed to serve as an alternative to walking. It exists in various forms, including those propelled by motors or operated by the seated occupant manually rotating the rear wheels. Additionally, some wheelchairs feature handles behind the seat, enabling another individual to push the wheelchair.

Primarily used by individuals facing difficulty or inability to walk due to illness (physiological or physical), injury, or disability, wheelchairs are essential mobility aids. Those with challenges in both sitting and walking often require the use of a wheelchair. A standard manual wheelchair typically comprises a seat, footrests, and four wheels: two smaller caster wheels at the front and two larger wheels at the rear.

The larger rear wheels commonly incorporate handrims—metal or plastic circles approximately 3/4" thick—allowing for manual propulsion. These handrims typically have a diameter only slightly smaller than the wheels they are attached to. Most wheelchairs are equipped with two push handles at the top rear, facilitating manual propulsion by a caregiver or assistant.

Historically, the earliest records of wheelchairs trace back to the 6th century, evidenced by an inscription found on a stone slate in China. Subsequent historical accounts document Europeans utilizing this mobility aid during the German Renaissance period.

The invention of the invalid carriage or Bath Chair is estimated to have occurred around 1760.

In 1933, Harry Jennings and his disabled friend Herbert Everest, both mechanical engineers, developed the first lightweight, steel, collapsible wheelchair. Mr. Everest, having suffered a back injury in a mining accident, collaborated with Jennings to create this innovative design. Recognizing the commercial potential of their invention, they established the first mass-manufacturing company of wheelchairs: Everest and Jennings. Their groundbreaking "x-brace" design remains prevalent today, albeit with advancements in materials and other enhancements.