John Nolan,
The True Leader in Pool, Spa, Tub, and Dock Accessibility
Founder John Nolan invented the first portable water-powered bathtub chair while working for American-Standard In 1962. He later designed and made an improved bathtub lift. With wife Ruth, and children David and Linda, J.E. Nolan & Company introduced the Nolan Tublift™.
In 1980, John and Linda introduced the first independently-operable, portable, water-powered lift for swimming pool access, the Nolan Poolift™, at the International Pool & Spa Expo in Los Angeles. In 1985, J.E. Nolan & Company was acquired by Sunrise Medical.
In 1987 the Nolans formed Aquatic Access Inc. and introduced a lift for hot tubs — The SpaLift™. Then came taller versions — for above-ground pools and tall rehab pools. We then offered a pool lift with a manual turn for in-ground pools and spas.
In 1994, David Nolan designed a new model pool lift for in-ground pools with an automatic 90º turn and a weight capacity of 400 lbs. Later the design was modified and 180º and 135º automatic turns were introduced.
John and Ruth passed on in 2010-11, eight months apart, each at the age of 91. David left us in 2019 at the age of 67. Ruth, a Physical Therapist with the 10th PT license issued in the state of Kentucky; John, the pioneer in tub, pool, and spa access: and David, who improved our designs and loved working closely with customers, left a lasting legacy of making life better for many thousands of people.
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