The concept of the wheelchair can be traced back to ancient times, with early designs appearing as simple chair-like structures that were manually operated. However, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that the idea of motorizing this essential mobility aid began to take shape. The first electric wheelchair is attributed to George Klein, a Canadian inventor, who developed an electric-powered scooter during World War II. His innovative design was originally intended to assist injured veterans, enabling them to regain some mobility and independence.