At my place of work, devices to "assist persons in walking" or Walkers, are a preferred mode of transportation. So many of our residents use walkers, that I became curious about who invented them and when they began to become so popular.
In Great Britain (where they were apparently invented), Walkers are called Zimmer Frames, after the company that first produced them. The first patent for a walker was granted in 1953, to William Cribbs Robb, in the UK. This is information from the Internet, so it has to be true.:)
Walkers are wonderful devices. Life without these clever devices must have limited a great many folks to wheelchairs or even kept folks bedridden.
Walkers are so prevalent these days, that the simple technology of legs and handlebars has developed into Walkers with two or four wheels. Some Walker wheels are made to swivel and can turn on a dime. The wheels have independent suspension and hand brakes. Walkers now sport trays, seats, baskets and even horns.
So many folks are using Walkers, that the possibility of Walker races has occurred to me. However, I can foresee that once our folks get rolling and experience a taste of wheeled competition, we might have trouble getting them to slow down..
Happy New Year!
Dear Lord. We wonder at our many blessings. We are in awe of your steadfast love and amazing power. Guide us to do your will in this New Year and forever.
No comments:
Post a Comment