The invention of the mobility scooter

In 1967, American plumber Al Thieme promised his wife with multiple sclerosis that he would find her an alternative to a wheelchair.

He came up with a battery-powered seat on wheels.

He called it an ‘amigo’ and soon other people wanted one too. In 1968, he founded Amigo Mobility International and started selling his vehicles around the world.

He speaks to Rachel Naylor.

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(Photo: Al Thieme with an early model. Credit: Amigo Mobility International)