In 1970, Frank Roberts, an industrial designer, injured his back playing tennis. He was rushed to the hospital. This was not the first time he had suffered back pain but it was certainly the worst.
Discovering in the treatment process that the combination of immobilizing and resting the spine relieve the pain. He needed a device that would allow him to sit up comfortably and to that end he decided to design a light-weight, supportive backrest to hold the back muscles and spine at rest.
In collaboration, he designed a portable backrest brace out of fiberglass. It could support the spine in any chair, car seat, or bed. In 1980, production began on his final design.
He named it and his company ObusForme.
