Info About Wheelchairs

What is a Wheelchair? A wheelchair is, like the name implies, a chair with wheels. Wheelchairs are used when walking is difficult or impossible due to illness, injury, problems related to old age, or disability.

The Details

A Brief History: Wheelchairs have roots tracing back to Ancient Greece, but the first commercially produced wheelchair came in 1783 when John Dawson brought it into the public eye.

By the turn of the 18th century, wheelchairs had become a normal fixture in medical catalogues. They were advertised as transportation devices for patients.

The MHC's Wheelchair: The wheelchair in our collection comes circa 1881-1899. This is after both bulkier wheels and pushrims began to appear on wheelchairs regularly.

How to Learn More

Schedule a Tour: Contact the MHC to schedule a tour. Email us at mhcmail@osumc.edu, or call us at (614) 292-3275. We are located in Columbus, Ohio.

More to Come: Watch for more Curator's Top 25 artifact highlights throughout the rest of 2022!

Medical Heritage Center Contact Information

The Ohio State University Health Sciences Library
5th Floor, Prior Hall
376 West 10th Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 292-3275
go.osu.edu/mhc