'Stoway' folding stroller
Object No. 2006/119/1
The Stoway stroller was produced by a combination of one person's inventiveness and attention to detail, and another's business acumen. The result was a go-anywhere, transverse (cross-wise) folding stroller that weighed only 2 kg, making it particularly suitable for weary mothers to use on Sydney's trams or buses. The transverse folding operation prefigured the design of many later folding strollers. To accompany his drawings for the patent application in 1942, Harold Cornish made a beautifully crafted working model (Powerhouse Museum object number 88/713). He left most business decisions to his partner Sid Morris, who arranged 12 overseas patents for the stroller and licensed its production in the UK and USA. In 1948 Morris organised manufacture of the first of 150,000 Stoway folding strollers to be made in Australia. In some ways the Stoway fitted today's ideals of ecodesign: the canvas and vinyl seats were easy to replace; and the factory even supplied do-it-yourself re-upholstering kits. Angelique Hutchison, Curator, 2006
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Summary
Object Statement
Stroller, 'Stoway', vinyl / canvas / rubber / metal / cotton / plastic / wood, designed by Harold Cornish, made by Keencraft Manufacturing Pty Ltd, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1949-1960.
Physical Description
Stroller, 'Stoway', vinyl / canvas / rubber / metal / cotton / plastic / wood, designed by Harold Cornish, made by Keencraft Manufacturing Pty Ltd, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1949-1960. Metal framed stroller with four cast metal wheels with white rubber tyres, telescopic wooden handle, retrofitted brown vinyl and canvas upholstered seat cover and strap. The stroller folds transversely for carrying. Steel parts are painted pale green. Sprung brake on left hand side..
DIMENSIONS
Height
785 mm
Width
415 mm
Depth
830 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
Harold Cornish (1910 - 2003) invented, designed and manufactured the stroller in Sydney. The corded tyres were probably manufactured between 1949 and 1955 and are probably original equipment.
HISTORY
Notes
Nothing is known of the stroller's use before it was purchased by the donor in Mittagong in 1993. The new seat cover was made by the inventor and an upholsterer who worked at Keenkraft..
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Harold Cornish, 1995
Acquisition Date
25 August 2006
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