Affiliations: Human Engineering Research Laboratories, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, VA Medical Center, 7180 Highland Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA
Abstract: Driven by a desire to improve their sports performance, a few wheelchair users began to challenge the rules for wheelchair sports. In so doing the flame of a revolution was lit. By producing their own wheelchairs, standard wheelchair technology was challenged. During the late 1970s, several companies arose out of the demand for custom sports chairs for daily use. The demand for improved performance and lighter weight was great enough to support an industry because the large wheelchair manufacturers at the time did not recognize this change in the market place, the door was left open for new players. Although there has been recent consolidation of many of the original ultralight wheelchair manufacturers, growth continues. This trend should produce some exciting technologies to reduce costs and improve quality.
