David Garman
{{Short description|British inventor and businessman (1922–2019)}}
{{COI|date=February 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = David Edmund Talbot Garman OBE
| image = David E. Talbot Garman.jpg
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1922|5|9|df=y}}
| birth_place = Thakeham, West Sussex, England
| death_date = {{death date and age |2019|01|04|1922|5|9|df=yes}}
| nationality = British
| occupation = British inventor, businessman and philanthropist
| awards = HTV Design Award
BHTA (British Healthcare Trades Association) Lifetime Service Award
Officer of the Order of the British Empire
Inducted into the Ambulance Service Hall of Fame
| parents =
| spouse =
| children = 4
| relatives =
| years_active =
}}
David Edmund Talbot Garman OBE (9 May 1922 – 4 January 2019) was a British inventor and businessman who was based in mid-Wales.{{cite web |url=http://www.thiis.co.uk/news-snippets/obe-for-mangar-founder.aspx |title=OBE for inventor of the bathlift |access-date=17 January 2016 |archive-date=1 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501004436/http://www.thiis.co.uk/news-snippets/obe-for-mangar-founder.aspx |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://patents.justia.com/inventor/david-edmund-talbot-garman |title=Patents by Inventor David Edmund Talbot Garman – Justia Patents Search |newspaper=Patents.justia.com }}
Early life and career
He was born in Thakeham in West Sussex, England, in May 1922.{{Cite web|url=http://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/news/inventor-s-latest-revolutionary-product-patented-1-7858659|title=Inventor's latest 'revolutionary' product patented|website=www.wscountytimes.co.uk|date=9 March 2017 |language=en|access-date=2017-03-14}}
Garman invented the first portable powered bath lift in 1981 —a lift to assist people with mobility problems getting in and out of the bath.{{Cite news|url=http://mangarhealth.com/about/history/|title=The History Behind Mangar Health|work=Mangar Global|access-date=2017-03-14|language=en-GB}}
He was the founder and chairman of Mangar International Limited, Mangar International (Holdings) Limited and Mangar 2013 Limited.{{cite web |url=http://mangar.co.uk/2015/01/05/david-garman-receives-obe/ |title=David Garman Receives OBE – Mangar | Mangar - - single.php |publisher=Mangar |access-date=2015-10-23 |archive-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306144744/http://mangar.co.uk/2015/01/05/david-garman-receives-obe/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/mz-X-IWX8qlbrHpbSJdxOlRVwS0/appointments/ |title=David Edmund Garman Companies House |publisher=Mangar }} Mangar International Ltd now sells bathlifts and other lifting devices to hospitals and care homes across the world, as well as to private and commercial buyers.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2019/01/28/david-garman-businessman-whose-invention-portable-bathlift-improved/|title=David Garman, businessman whose invention of the portable bathlift improved the lives of millions – obituary|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=28 January 2019|last1=Obituaries|first1=Telegraph}} Mangar is an anagram of Garman.
Garman's inventions consisted of patient lifting and handling equipment now used internationally in private dwellings, day centres, hospitals and care homes, as well as by ambulance services. He invented, designed and manufactured these products through Mangar International Limited which he founded with his wife, Francesca, in 1981. They ran Mangar International Limited, based in Presteigne in Powys, mid-Wales, until he was well into his 90s. It was then sold in January 2014. However, even in his very late 'retirement' he continued inventing right up until his final months. The resulting product development is being carried out through David E. T. Garman Concepts Ltd, which was founded by Garman's family in September 2013.
David E. T. Garman Concepts Limited was named after him and was founded in September 2013.{{cite web|last=Garman |first=David |url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/08670959|title=David Edmund Talbot Garman Companies House }}{{cite web |last=Garman |first=David |url=http://www.thiis.co.uk/news-snippets/new-patent-for-94-year-old-david.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430040406/http://www.thiis.co.uk/news-snippets/new-patent-for-94-year-old-david.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 April 2017 |title=David E. T. Garman Concepts Ltd. }} Garman's last invention was the "Air Cradle" patient transfer system, which he co-invented with Austin Owens with whom David E. T. Garman Concepts Limited continues to collaborate.{{cite web|last=Garman |first=David |url=http://ot-magazine.co.uk/94-year-old-british-obe-global-healthcare-sector-inventor-gets-further-patent/|title=94-year-old-british-obe-global-healthcare-sector-inventor-gets-further-patent |date=20 December 2016 }}{{cite web|url=http://tradepointmagazine.co.uk/tag/david-edmund-talbot-garman-obe/| title=David Edmund Talbot Garman OBE – TradePoint Magazine – Disability Trade}}{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/backcare/docs/backcare_talkback_issue_2_2017|title=TalkBack, spring – 2017 (BackCare)|website=Issuu|date=9 May 2017 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.grovedesign.co.uk/portfolio/mobility-assistance|title=Mobility Assistance|website=GroveDesign}} The "Air Cradle" patient transfer system is an alternative to hoists and slings used in patient transfer.{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/thiis/docs/at_today_jan_2020_web?fr=sM2IwNTIzNjUyOA| title='An Alternative Solution' – AT Today Magazine, page 9, 16 January 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://aircradle.co.uk/| title=The AIR CRADLE®}}{{cite web|url=https://www.coherentmagazine.com/medical-lifting-slings-market-size-share-outlook-and-opportunity-analysis-2019-2027/|title=Medical Lifting Slings Market – Size, Share, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2019 – 2027|access-date=10 July 2019|archive-date=10 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710142328/https://www.coherentmagazine.com/medical-lifting-slings-market-size-share-outlook-and-opportunity-analysis-2019-2027/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://trends.medicalexpo.com/project-430601.html/|title=Innovative patient transfer system looks to disrupt the market after being a finalist in prestigious design awards}}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web|url=http://trends.medicalexpo.fr/project-430601.html?token=ea71fb6a62fdb51be8d277240e8f913565860f15#| title=Un système innovant de transfert de patients cherche à perturber le marché après avoir été finali...}}{{cite web|url=https://thiis.co.uk/big-movements-in-the-moving-and-handling-sector/| title=Global Patient Handling Equipment Market predicted to be worth £20.21billion by 2025| date=14 February 2019}} On 7 May 2019, the AIR CRADLE® Patient Transfer System was short-listed in The Blackwood Design Awards 2019 'BEST NEW CONCEPT' category.{{cite web|url=http://www.bespoken.me/profiles/blogs/the-blackwood-design-awards-2018-19-shortlist-finalists/|title=The Blackwood Design Awards 2019 'BEST NEW CONCEPT' Shortlist Finalists}} On 15 May 2019, the AIR CRADLE® Patient Transfer System was a finalist in The Blackwood Design Awards 2019 'BEST NEW CONCEPT' category.{{cite web|url=http://www.bespoken.me/profiles/blogs/the-blackwood-design-awards-2018-19-shortlist-finalists/|title=The Blackwood Design Awards 2019 'BEST NEW CONCEPT' Finalists}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sfha.co.uk/news/news-category/sector-news/news-article/innovative-designs-celebrated-at-blackwood-design-awards|title=Innovative designs celebrated at Blackwood Design Awards|date=15 May 2019 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/article/innovative-entries-celebrated-at-blackwood-design-awards|title=Innovative entries celebrated at Blackwood Design Awards|date=14 May 2019 }}{{cite web|url=https://thiis.co.uk/innovative-patient-transfer-system-looks-to-disrupt-the-market-after-being-a-finalist-in-prestigious-design-awards/|title=Innovative patient transfer system looks to disrupt the market after being a finalist in prestigious design awards|date=12 June 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://attoday.co.uk/innovative-patient-transfer-system-makes-moving-handling-more-dignified-safer-and-less-stressful-for-patients/|title=Innovative patient transfer system makes moving & handling more dignified, safer and less stressful for patients|date=13 June 2019}} On 18 February 2020, the AIR CRADLE® Transfer System was short-listed for 'Innovation of the Year' in The National Technology Awards 2020.{{cite web|url=https://nationaltechnologyawards.co.uk/shortlist20.php/|title=National Technology Awards Shortlist 2020|date= 18 February 2020}}
He was also the Chairman of M.F.C. International Limited.{{cite web |url= https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/dec/30/-sp-new-years-honours-2015-full-list |title=New year honours 2015: the full list | UK news | The Guardian |work=theguardian.com |year=2015 }}{{cite web|last=Garman |first=David |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/new-year-honours-2015-leading-8363889 |title=New Year Honours 2015: A leading force in devolution, a champion of the miniskirt and a top Army medic feature among Welsh names with a gong |date=30 December 2014 }}{{cite web|last=Garman |first=David |url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/mz-X-IWX8qlbrHpbSJdxOlRVwS0/appointments|title=David Edmund Talbot Garman Companies House }} Prior to acquiring M.F.C. International Ltd (then known as M.F.C. Survival Ltd), Mangar International Ltd had had a working relationship with MFC for over 20 years.{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/thiis/docs/thiis-08-2013|title=M.F.C. International Ltd|website=Issuu|date=9 September 2013 }}
He was a Director of The Radnorshire Wildlife Trust Limited.{{cite web|last=Garman |first=David |url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/mz-X-IWX8qlbrHpbSJdxOlRVwS0/appointments|title=David Edmund Talbot Garman Companies House |publisher=Companies House }}[https://opencorporates.com/companies/gb/02132736/ THE RADNORSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED]
Death
Garman died in mid-Wales on 4 January 2019.{{cite web|url=https://thiis.co.uk/award-winning-industry-innovator-and-pioneer-passes-away/|title=Award-winning industry innovator and pioneer passes away|first=Calvin|last=Barnett|date=7 January 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/17369121.david-garman-obe-has-died-aged-96/|title=Tributes to man who 'contributed to much' to affordable housing|website=Dorset Echo|date=20 January 2019 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-hubs/mid-wales/2019/01/10/tributes-to-mid-wales-inventor-catered-for-elderly/|title=Tributes to Mid Wales inventor who catered for elderly|first=David|last=Briggs|website=www.shropshirestar.com|date=10 January 2019 }} The BBC broadcast a Radio 4 obituary about Garman on 15 and 17 February 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0002hyn|title=David Garman OBE -obituary|publisher=Last Word, BBC Radio 4}}
Affordable housing in Lyme Regis
With the support of his nephew, Bernie Kevill (a son of his late sister Elizabeth), Garman was instrumental in the development of affordable housing in Lyme Regis, Dorset, England. He sold very cheaply part of his land on the outskirts of Lyme Regis to Lyme Regis Community Land Trust to build 15 affordable homes. The development sits on Timber Hill and is named Garman's Field because of this.{{cite web|url=https://www.bridportnews.co.uk/news/17362827.lyme-regis-indebted-to-affordable-homes-pioneer-who-dies-aged-96/ |title= Lyme Regis 'indebted' to affordable homes pioneer, who dies aged 96 |date=2019-01-18 }}
Woodlands
Garman invested heavily in the preservation of flora and fauna in Wales, where he planted one of the largest broad-leaved woodlands of more than 10,000 trees near Llandrindod Wells.{{cite news|url= https://www.thetimes.com/article/david-garman-obituary-dstff8zzp|title= David Garman, The Times}}
Awards and honours
In 1981, aged 59, Garman won the HTV Design Award for his first invention, the world's first portable powered bath lift. This award resulted in some publicity but very little financial assistance.
In 2007, aged 85, Garman was awarded the BHTA (British Healthcare Trades Association) Lifetime Service Award for his contribution and dedication to the rehabilitation industry.{{Cite journal|date=February 2015|url=http://www.bhta.net/sites/default/files/document-upload/BHTA%20Bulletin%20Feb%20LOW%20RES.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315085954/http://www.bhta.net/sites/default/files/document-upload/BHTA%20Bulletin%20Feb%20LOW%20RES.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 March 2017|journal=BHTA Bulletin |issue=41|pages=15}}
Garman was also, aged 92, made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for "services to the healthcare industry" by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2015 New Year Honours.{{cite web | url=http://www.newsnorthwales.co.uk/news/142547/lady-of-glanusk-honoured.aspx | title=- Lady of Glanusk honoured | work=newsnorthwales.co.uk | access-date=15 October 2015 | last=Goddard | first=Ben | year=2015 | archive-date=20 September 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920024157/http://www.newsnorthwales.co.uk/news/142547/lady-of-glanusk-honoured.aspx | url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/405463/NY2015_Honours_List.csv/preview/ |title=New Year's Honours 2015: CSV |publisher=GOV.UK |date=2015-01-08 |access-date=2015-10-23 |archive-date=8 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408081233/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/405463/NY2015_Honours_List.csv/preview |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/new-year-honours-welsh-list-8362573/|title=New Years Honours 2015: The Welsh List|access-date=28 January 2019|archive-date=14 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151214201109/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/new-year-honours-welsh-list-8362573|url-status=dead}}
In May 2019, some four months after Garman's death at the age of 96, the AIR CRADLE® Patient Transfer System, co-invented by Garman and Austin Owens, was a finalist in The Blackwood Design Awards 2019 - 'BEST NEW CONCEPT' category.{{cite web|url=http://www.bespoken.me/profiles/blogs/the-blackwood-design-awards-2018-19-shortlist-finalists/|title=The Blackwood Design Awards 2019 'BEST NEW CONCEPT' Finalists}}
On 22 October 2019, Garman was inducted into the Ambulance Service Hall of Fame for his individual contribution to the safety and well-being of patients.{{cite web|url=https://ambulancenewsdesk.com/inventor-inducted-into-the-ambulance-service-hall-of-fame/|title=Inventor Inducted into The Ambulance Service Hall of Fame}}{{cite web|url=https://thiis.co.uk/late-industry-pioneer-and-founder-of-mangar-inducted-into-the-ambulance-service-hall-of-fame/|title=Late industry pioneer and founder of Mangar inducted into The Ambulance Service Hall of Fame|date=28 October 2019 }}
On 18 February 2020, the AIR CRADLE® Transfer System was short-listed for 'Innovation of the Year' in The National Technology Awards 2020.{{cite web|url=https://nationaltechnologyawards.co.uk/shortlist20.php/|title=National Technology Awards Shortlist 2020|date= 18 February 2020}}
On 6 January 2021, the AIR CRADLE® Transfer System was nominated for 'Best Medical Device Solution' in the MedTech Breakthrough Awards 2021.
References
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Category:British businesspeople