Wheelchair Lift, Lowered, on the Presidential Rail Car, "Ferdinand Magellan," circa 1943

Summary

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio (later suggested to have been Guillain-Barre syndrome) in 1921 and experienced permanent paralysis in both legs. Though he tried to keep it private, Roosevelt used a wheelchair throughout his presidency (1933-1945). This lift allowed him to board the railcar Ferdinand Magellan, which was equipped for presidential use during World War II.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio (later suggested to have been Guillain-Barre syndrome) in 1921 and experienced permanent paralysis in both legs. Though he tried to keep it private, Roosevelt used a wheelchair throughout his presidency (1933-1945). This lift allowed him to board the railcar Ferdinand Magellan, which was equipped for presidential use during World War II.

Artifact

Photographic print

Subject Date

circa 1943

Creators

Unknown

 On Exhibit

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

2011.241.14.53

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Edward L. Gies in Memory of Morgan L. Gies.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 10 in

Width: 8.063 in

Inscriptions

Type-written caption on back: Showing the lift down with the ramp extended. Handwritten: To be copied

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