“It Was Too Ugly to Die in There”

Michael Graves, the designer who improved tea kettles for the masses thanks to his partnership with Target stores, recently took on a new challenge.

The original hospital wheelchair, apparently still in widespread use, was based off a design from way back in 1933. Graves decided to update it, and also worked on other hospital equipment to be of better use and more comfort to patients.

Graves’ interest in the field came when he was hospitalized from a severe sinus infection, and eventually beca...