American manufacturing businessman who was the founder and CEO of the Braun Corporation. In May 2012, Ralph Braun was named a “champion of change” by U.S. President Barack Obama.
When he was six years old, doctors diagnosed him with muscular dystrophy. He started using a wheelchair at the age of 14. At the age of 15, he created a motorized wagon with his father to help him get around. Five years later, Braun created a motorized scooter, which he called the Tri-Wheeler, using various parts from his cousin’s farm. Later he equipped an old mail carrier Jeep with hand controls and a hydraulic tailgate lift, enabling him to drive his Tri-Wheeler in and out of the vehicle unassisted.
Braun started “Save-A-Step” manufacturing in 1963 to build the first motorized scooter. In 1966 Braun created the first wheelchair accessible vehicle, by creating a wheelchair platform lift and hand controls that were added to an old postal van. In 1970, Ralph added wheelchair platform lifts to full-sized vans. “Save-A-Step” was incorporated under a new name, The Braun Corporation, in 1972.
In 1991, Braun introduced its first wheelchair accessible minivan, based on the Dodge Caravan and called the Entervan. In 1999, Braun acquired Crow River Industries, a specialized manufacturer of wheelchair platform lifts. In 2006, the Braun Corporation adopted the brand name, BraunAbility, for its personal-use products.
Braun and his son Todd were owners of the NASCAR racing team, Braun Racing.
Braun died in Pulaski County, Indiana on 8 February 2013, aged 72.
Link to Wikipedia biography