Allan R. Thieme
| Allan R. Thieme | |
|---|---|
 Al Thieme giving a tour of the Amigo facilities |
|
| Born | April 5, 1937 Bridgeport, Michigan |
| Occupation | Inventor, Entrepreneur |
| Spouse | Beth Thieme |
Entrepreneur Allan (Al) R Thieme (born April 5, 1937, Bridgeport, Michigan) invented the first Power operated vehicle/scooter, the Amigo in 1968.
Born in Bridgeport, Michigan, Thieme grew up in rural Michigan and started a plumbing and heating business at the age of 22.[1] When he was 30, Thieme invented the Amigo in his garage during the evening, while working by day as a plumber running his plumbing and heating business. He built the Amigo for a family member who was experiencing loss of mobility due to multiple sclerosis. At the age of 31, he started Amigo Mobility International Inc.
Thieme has also been involved in a variety of community groups. From 1972 - 1974 he served as Chairman of the Saginaw Valley Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and from 1974 - 1976 he was a Board Member for the Michigan State Chapter. From 1995 - 1998, he served on Northwest Airlines Disability Awareness Advisory Board.
[edit] Anecdotal Information
I am an Amigo user. I am a 63 year old paraplegic. Al Thieme and his company Amigo Mobility have been helpful in my now numerous writing on disability and elderly issues.
I was a columnist on disability issues for Voices of Central PA for over a year and I currently work at Penn State's Architectural Engineering Program where we produce 3D models for the construction industry. Our virtual reality models are based on the real live reality of Blueroof Technologies, in McKeesport, PA, Bruce Springsteen down and out country, where over 20 percent of the population is elderly and where demand for safe, inexpensive housing is critical.
Blue Roof is building such housing using state of the art facilities that literally blow my mind, including experimentation with a special Amigo Mobility scooter from which the occupant can currently sit in his or her own wheel chair and press a call for help button, turn light switches on and off, use WI-FI technology to communicate, receive information, listen to music, and watch movies.
I am editing his biography so it includes more information about Al Thieme, a man I have come to know and feel genuine affection. I am a person who has clearly established ties to Amigo, who does not intend to be impartial, but who has access to information about Al especially of an informal nature.
--Joel Solkoff
[edit] Awards
- 1974 Distinguished Service Award, Saginaw Valley MS Society
- 1981 National Small Businessman of the Year Award [2]
- 1981 Michigan Small Businessman of the Year Award
e.Reference: www.myamigo.com; Congressional Record-Senate, S18836, November 4, 1977
[edit] References
- Congressional Record-Senate, S18836, November 4, 1977
- http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/getting-acquainted-with-mobility-scooters-222356.html
- http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-6805710_ITM
- http://www.inc.com/magazine/20060901/inc500-grand-intro.html
- http://www.myamigo.com
- http://healthyinformation.wordpress.com/2008/11/12/what-are-mobility-scooters/
- http://www.greatlakesbaymag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=79:feature-2&catid=41
- http://www.mlive.com/business/mid-michigan/index.ssf/2011/08/medicare-funded_power_wheelcha.html
