| Since the invention of electric | | | | by attendants, in 1655 Stephen Farfler, |
| wheelchairs and mobility scooters, one | | | | a paraplegic watchmaker, had built a |
| does wonder what the world was like | | | | chair on a three wheel chassis with |
| without all these wonderful | | | | handles attached to the single front |
| technological aids in our lives. People | | | | wheels. This was one of the first |
| with mobility disabilities will not have | | | | recordings of a user manoeuvring |
| had the same amount of help as they do | | | | independently without the need of an |
| now, and certainly, the government have | | | | attendant or servant. |
| brought in new schemes and benefits to | | | | The 19th century saw the wheelchair |
| make these equipments more affordable. | | | | become less cumbersome and freer for |
| However, even those who do purchase | | | | users to manoeuvre easily themselves, as |
| mobility scooters may find it more cost | | | | they were able to turn the rear wheels |
| effective than those who are in need of | | | | themselves. In 1881, manufacturers |
| electric wheelchairs. There are more | | | | modified the wheelchair, by adding a |
| insurance policies and procedures to | | | | second rim with a smaller circumference |
| adhere to than there are with scooters, | | | | to each wheel, which made it easier for |
| though insuring a scooter is much more | | | | users to travel across muddy grounds |
| difficult than an electric wheelchair. | | | | without it being a nuisance. |
| Due to the difference in people using | | | | The 20th century saw the design of the |
| them, scooters are much cheaper than | | | | wheelchair focussing on bringing more |
| electric wheelchairs and can only be | | | | independence for the users, rather than |
| used by people who are able to sit | | | | keeping to the original design of a |
| upright. | | | | heavy cumbersome device. The first |
| History | | | | innovative changes made to the |
| Perhaps the historical background of all | | | | wheelchair were the adaptive seating, |
| mobility scooters and electric | | | | movable hand and foot rest and |
| wheelchairs date back with the beginning | | | | wire-spoke wheels, that transformed the |
| of wheelchairs in England and Europe | | | | wheelchair from being a disability tool |
| during the 1670's. This was designed | | | | to a postural aid too. |
| mainly as a heavy piece of furniture on | | | | In 1916, British engineers had built the |
| wheels, pushed by an attendant and not | | | | first motorised wheelchair; this was not |
| by the user. Much of the wheelchair | | | | widely used until the latter part of the |
| users did not have any independence and | | | | 20th century as manual wheelchairs were |
| required the aid of another person at | | | | becoming cheaper. Harry Jennings in 1932 |
| all times. | | | | transformed the wheelchair once again, |
| Other recordings such as an engraving of | | | | by inventing the first foldable |
| the first wheelchair usage in China | | | | wheelchair making it much easier to |
| dated back around 525 AD, which | | | | store. |
| documented a picture of someone seated | | | | As the years followed on many |
| on a chair with wheels built on each | | | | modifications and extra accessories were |
| leg. Subsequent recordings of the | | | | added to the wheelchair, including a new |
| wheelchair are difficult to trace until | | | | mobility scooter used mainly for people |
| 1595, when a sketching made in Spain of | | | | with difficulties in moving but have |
| King Phillip II was documented to be | | | | good upright seating ability. Electric |
| seated on a chair with wheels. However, | | | | wheelchairs and wheelchairs continue to |
| this was designed for a servant or an | | | | be widely used and are now much more |
| attendant to manoeuvre. | | | | cost effective in purchasing, |
| Even though wheelchairs were widely used | | | | maintenance and insurance. |