In 1945, officials in the city of Battle Creek, Michigan, wanted to accommodate wounded war veterans and allow them to move easily about the streets in their wheelchairs. The city officials ordered curb cuts throughout the city’s downtown area. With this change, came a surprising observation. Not only did those with disabilities and other mobility issues benefit from the curb cuts, everyone did. Mothers with carriages, people on bicycles, kids on roller skates, delivery men with hand carts—all benefited from this design.