Colson “Fauntleroy” Tricycle Wheelchair, Model JK-109

Sometime after the Civil War, the concept of wheelchairs, then known as “invalid chairs,” began to shift from transport for the disabled and immobile to a vehicle for independence. Wheelchair manufacturers started changing their designs so users could be drivers instead of passengers. Moving the small steering casters from the rear to the front permitted users to get over curbs or other obstacles on their own. Manufacturers also changed from wooden parts to steel and other metals for greater durability.

Medical professionals and users also increasingly saw wheelchairs as part of the recovery process for the injured or infirm, as a self-propelled wheelchair could often rehabilitate injured limbs or strengthen limbs to do a new job.

Originally operating as a bicycle manufacturer, the Colson Corporation of Elyria, Ohio began making wheelchairs after World War I. By adapting their bicycle parts to wheelchair manufacturing, the company could sell products to those who wanted the independence of a bicycle, but could not maintain the balance or strength to ride one.

This wheelchair, the MK-109 “Fauntleroy,” was designed specifically for polio survivors, who were left with weak or paralyzed muscles and limbs, particularly the legs. The Fauntleroy was intended to help polio survivors since they could use the hand levers and the pedals to power the chair. To turn, riders could steer the front wheel by twisting the handle of the right lever.

While chairs such as the Fauntleroy could provide both physical therapy and increased independence, few could afford them. Produced only during the worst of the Great Depression, the cost of Colson wheelchairs ranged from $120-151, depending on the size and type of tire selected. This is about $3,700-$4,730 in 2018.

The lever chair was largely abandoned with the development of quality handrims after World War II. Handrims are circular grips attached to wheelchair wheels so users can propel themselves without touching the tires that come in contact with the ground. However, studies have found that conventional handrims often result in serious shoulder and wrist pain for users and inefficiently consume the user’s physical energy. Modern, ergonomically designed lever wheelchairs can cause less strain on users’ bodies and allow for easier braking and better performance on inclines. Numerous researchers and manufacturers continue to design and build lever wheelchairs, even some for all-terrain use.

Side view of Colson