Wheelchair
Maker and role
W. A. Thompson & Company, Manufacturer
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Object detail
Accession number
F1588.2004
Maker
Description
Wooden wheelchair with 2 large front wheels and attached cane inner handheld wheels. It also has one swivel back wheel. At front, wooden leg supports are hinged wood for adjusting different positions suitable for the patient.
Brief History
While images of forms of wheelchairs show them to have been in existence for many centuries, wheelchairs as we now think of them did not make an appearance until the mid-1800s. A patent recorded in 1869 shows a wheelchair with rear push wheels and small front casters, very similar to today’s models. Between 1867 and 1875 inventors added new hollow rubber wheels similar to those used on bicycles on metal rims. In 1881 push rims were invented. These improvements increased comfort and manoeuvrability, and promoted independence.
W.A. Thompson & Company was a manufacturer of perambulators and push chairs in Auckland. Established by William Augustus Thompson in 1893, who was later joined in the company by his brother Alfred, the company first worked from Victoria Street West as machinists. They then diversified into sewing machine sales and repairs but began manufacturing perambulators in 1896. In 1899 the company moved premises to Queen Street but still seemed to be mainly a sewing machine agency. By 1910 the company had premises in Wakefield Street where perambulators were being manufactured. It is unknown when W.A. Thompson & Company first began manufacturing wheelchairs.
In 1923 the Thompson’s erected a building at 307-319 Queen Street, Auckland, which is still in existence.
After William Thompson’s death in 1945, Alfred Thompson became the sole owner of the business, establishing W.A. Thompson and Company Limited with his two sons in 1946. The firm gave up its premises at 307 Queen Street in 1966 and moved to Otara. It was dissolved in 1994.
W.A. Thompson & Company was a manufacturer of perambulators and push chairs in Auckland. Established by William Augustus Thompson in 1893, who was later joined in the company by his brother Alfred, the company first worked from Victoria Street West as machinists. They then diversified into sewing machine sales and repairs but began manufacturing perambulators in 1896. In 1899 the company moved premises to Queen Street but still seemed to be mainly a sewing machine agency. By 1910 the company had premises in Wakefield Street where perambulators were being manufactured. It is unknown when W.A. Thompson & Company first began manufacturing wheelchairs.
In 1923 the Thompson’s erected a building at 307-319 Queen Street, Auckland, which is still in existence.
After William Thompson’s death in 1945, Alfred Thompson became the sole owner of the business, establishing W.A. Thompson and Company Limited with his two sons in 1946. The firm gave up its premises at 307 Queen Street in 1966 and moved to Otara. It was dissolved in 1994.
Marks
W.A. THOMPSON & Co. / MANUFACTURERS AUCKLAND N.Z. Sticker
Media/Materials
Credit Line
W. A. Thompson & Company. Wheelchair, F1588.2004. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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