Figure 1.--Here we see a great line up of trikes and peddal cars. We see both metal and rubber wheels. The photograph is not dated, but is clearly the 1910s--notice the Model-T styled peddle car. There is some celebration involved, perhaps the Armistice (November 1918). This is a fascinating image because you can see the impact of the Model-T on America. The autimobile allowed Americans to move out into the suburbs. Notice we have sidewalks, but the new road is not yet paved.

Just as dad loved to photograph the family besides the new car, children loved their convehences and loved to be photographed on them. Fortunately the the family snapshop appeared at about the same time that these converhences appeared for children-- at the turn-of-the 20th century. The bicycle appeared earlier, but at first was only for adults (late-19th century). And they were rather expensive, something than only men could afford. But gradually the price came down and family incomes rose. Thus parents could afford them for their children. And because of the family snapshot, there is a huge photographic record on these convehnces. We see far more of them in America than in Europe just as we see more motor vehicles in America. The major reason being that American workers were so much better paid than European workers. Althouhgh most are undated, we can usually work out the decade. We see quite a diversity of these convences. Early trikes look a little strange. Important to these convences were sidewalks and for older boys with bikes, paved roads. This at first meant the cities. But with the advebt of the Midel-T, Ametricans began demanding better roads and hughways. I ceratinly remember my trike in 1948. It was a strudy steel trike, not of this plastic nonsence at the time.

Created: 4:29 PM 10/12/2021
Last updated: 4:30 PM 10/12/2021