As experienced stairlift suppliers, here at ALS Stairlifts we know a thing or two about stairlifts. And as far as we’re concerned they’re pretty amazing.
These innovative inventions are now a common sight in our daily lives, and it can be all too easy to take these wonderful inventions for granted. But trust us, stairlifts are really rather extraordinary.
If you’ve ever wanted to know a little more about these mobility marvels, then you in luck, as here we’re going to take a closer look at some fun facts about stairlifts, which might just surprise you!
Good for Mind and Body
Ok, so it probably goes without saying but stairlifts can provide a number of benefits for your physical health. For example, they can help reduce the risk of injuries and falls and thereby improve both health and mobility.
But that’s not all, stairlifts aren’t only beneficial for your body; they can also have a positive impact on your mental health too. A number of studies have found that installing a stairlift can help reduce anxiety levels and improve an individual’s sense of well being too, by giving them greater independence.
A Royal History
Stairlifts have a long and fascinating history, no, really!
He might be better known for his numerous wives, but believe it or not we’ve got Henry VIII to thank for bringing us the stairlift.
The earliest recorded stairlift is thought to have been installed in Whitehall Palace in London, during Henry’s reign, where it would have been required to carry Henry up a 20ft staircase.
Henry had difficulty getting around, largely owing to injuries he sustained during a bad jousting accident. This severely affected Henry’s mobility, and as a result of this, an early stairlift was commissioned to help Henry to move around more easily.
Historians believe that this rudimentary stairlift would have been hauled up and down the staircase using a block and tackle system.
All told this ‘stairthrone’ may be a far cry from the modern stairlifts of today, but as far as we’re concerned, it’s still rather extraordinary.
Henry may have got the credit for the invention of the stairlift, but it was not until a few hundred years later in the 1920s that the first commercial stairlifts, originally known as inclinators, became available.
Obviously stairlifts have come a long way since these early days, but at ALS Stairlifts our quality stairlifts are definitely still fit for a king!
Not Just for People
We humans may be well versed in the benefits of stairlifts. But now it seems that our four legged friends are also starting to appreciate their many advantages too. That’s right, people have started commissioning specially designed stairlifts for their pet dogs too!
As bizarre as this may sound, these dog friendly stairlifts have been designed to aid canines with mobility issues to tackle stairs more easily, which just goes to show how amazing stairlifts can be!
Lights, Camera… Stairlifts!
These days stairlifts are really rather commonplace and are a widespread feature in our everyday lives.
Stairlifts are no strangers to the big screen either and have featured in several popular films too. From Disney’s charming animated film Up to the comedy horror Gremlins, stairlifts have acted as key props in a number of feature films.
So there we have it, some surprising facts about stairlifts. Hopefully this will have given you a new found appreciation for these unsung heroes.
Here at ALS Stairlifts we can provide a wide range of stairlifts, including a fantastic range of curved stairlifts.
Want to know more about our extensive selection of stairlifts? Then contact us today, by giving us a call on 0800 046 3438 and a member of our friendly team will be happy to help you with your enquiries.