Wheelchair

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on 85726 Wheel Chair 1920s Wheel Chair 1920s 84 USA 84 USA TUCSON AZ 12 1988 85726 Nonprofit profit

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WHEELCHAIR First Day of Issue: August 12, 1988 First Issue Location: Tucson, Arizona For centuries, the wheelchair has given mobility to the handicapped. In 1595, King Philip II of Spain had a special "gout chair" which moved on wheels and had curved metal bars, notched to position the reclining back and leg rests in various positions. The arm rests could be reclined as well. Philip's servant once noted, “though it was but of wood, leather and ordinary iron, it was worth ten times its weight in gold and silver" for His Majesty's comfort. In the 18th century, John Dawson became known as a "wheel- chair maker." His Bath chair had a steering mechanism and a canvas hood for outdoor use. By 1871, the wheel- chair was being used in America. Ironically, the bicycle craze of the 19th century greatly improved the wheelchair's mechanics — wire spoked wheels replaced wooden wheels, and then rubber tires cushioned the wire. The automobile inspired the mass production of lightweight, collapsible wheelchairs. Today, wheelchairs are a common sight almost everywhere there are people. No. 88-45 ©1988 The Maximum Card Collection A Division of Unicover Corporation • Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007 Original painting by Basil Smith