RALF'S CORNER

About Ralf's Corner

In the late 1970’s Ralf Hotchkiss got interested in designing wheelchairs for active use in developing countries. From then until 1989, Ralf worked on his own with the assistance of an assortment of supporters to develop good wheelchair designs and teach wheelchair riders how to build their own wheelchairs throughout the developing world. In 1989, Ralf joined up with engineering professor Peter Pfaelzer to establish the Wheeled Mobility Center at San Francisco State University. In 1997, Wheeled Mobility Center changed its name to Whirlwind Wheelchair International.

Ralf’s Corner is the place you can come to learn about Ralf, both the designer and the man. You never know what you will find here - Photos of his grandson? A sketch from his workbook? Pictures from his latest trip to the far corners of the earth? His personal musings?

Whenever you visit the Whirlwind web site, don’t forget to check out Ralf’s Corner. You’ll be glad you did.