Did you know that almost 1/3rd of Americans over the age of 65 do not have a Smartphone? Industrial designer Pat Moore very much knows this fact and has dedicated her life to designing products that make life easier for seniors and anyone with physical disabilities. And now, you can learn more about all she has achieved as she shares her life achievements with The Henry Ford Museum.
The Oxo vegetable peeler has been added to the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection. And you may not be surprised the bicycle grips were her inspiration for the Oxo product’s handles. Moore has positively impacted design for everything from adult diapers to trains to the streets and grocery stores that appear to be real in rehabilitation facilities to allow real-world life skills to be practiced.
Her story includes dressing up, with wig and full makeup, to look like an old lady when she was just starting out her career, which allowed her to really see how seniors are treated and at a disadvantage.
And guess what? She was the little old lady crossing the park at dusk who was mugged, and beaten so badly she was unconscious.
She wrote about the experience in the book “Disguised, A True Story”.
Today, at age 70, she continues to share her talents with companies, working 12-hour days.
You can read the entire story about her career here. Meanwhile, we can all keep thinking of ways to make the activities of daily life easier as the median age of Americans is the highest it has ever been. We’ll continue to live longer lives and will continue to need ways to age with dignity.
