Joseph F. Schrader, President
Hartford Walking Systems, Inc.

“Necessity is the mother of invention.” I created this device to help myself after fracturing a knee. I soon realized that with some improvements, it could also help people with many other types of leg injuries.

My mother taught me at a very early age that nothing was impossible. Although missing a thumb and having an arm slightly shorter than the other, she was very creative finding new ways to pick up and hold objects, and was very efficient at accomplishing tasks despite her physical challenges. Mom was truly an inventor – a kind and loving person who never complained. Our favorite book was The Little Engine That Could.

With her inspiration, the support of my wife and daughters, and the good fortune to have been blessed with some God-given talents, it was only natural to apply my abilities to this project.

In the past, I've been involved with inventing tools and systems for the aerospace and aircraft industries. Some of my projects included developing specialty tooling to deliver five U-2 spy plane engines for Pratt Whitney, making them mil spec compliant.

I also devised a practical electrolyte dispensing system that was initially used to mark stainless steel flatware for Oneida Limited. That led to my discovering a new application – marking titanium with a higher resolution. Rockwell International promptly utilized this technology for marking parts on the space shuttles.

Over the years, there've been equally formidable projects and numerous inventions that I've successfully completed. However, none has been as challenging as the Ergonomically Designed Walking Systems.

We are all very similar, yet like snowflakes, just a little bit different. Therefore, designing and building a user friendly walking system to accommodate everyone was not as simple as it seemed at first glance.

A person's body parts must be properly aligned and put in balance, yet the device must be practical and easy to use. This proved to be a difficult task. After thirteen years of prototypes, research, innovation, and employment of proprietary equipment and technology, I have achieved success.

In developing the ED Legsim, I've incorporated valuable input from my team, as well as feedback from customers. This has been an incredible learning experience, whereby I'm now in a position to help others. Thanks to you, we are making a difference! I'm sure my mother would be proud of us all.

Joe Schrader