The Big "Trike," 1896

Collection Name:

George W. Perry Scrapbooks

Title:

The Big "Trike," 1896

Creator:

Perry, George W., 1891-1971

Creator Role:

Collector

Accession / Call Number:

1974.045

Object ID:

1974.045.50.013

Date:

1896

Type of Material:

graphic material

Physical Description:

1 photograph

Language:

English

Scope and Content:

Photographic print of "The Big Wheel," a giant tricycle manufactured by the Boston Woven Hose and Rubber Company, in during the Concord, NH, Trade Week 1896. The archway in front of the New Hampshire State House is in the background. The caption states, "Trade Week 1896 The Big 'Trike' 14 Foot Vim Wheel brought here from Nashua This big Vim tricycle was one of the star attractions of the bicycle parade. It made its journey from Nashua. Ten men went down for the purpose of riding the big wheel to Concord, and they were more than surprised when they looked into the yard where the machine was stored and they realized the size of the contract which they had undertaken. The wheel was simply enormous, it took their breath away to look at it, and it took more to run it. But they had agreed to get the monster to Concord for the Merchants Week bicycle parade, so they mounted and started out for home in the best of spirits. The machine is a tricycle built by the Vim tire people to show their goods, and weighed 1900 pounds, the rear wheel were eleven and one half feet in diameter. It required the inited muscle of eight men to get it over the ground, and as many more as were handy to get it up hill, it went down hill without effort. The boys pulled a chain apart on the first hill out of Nashua and an hour was lost in repairing it, but they finally got way again, and the fun began in earnest. Horses would take one look at the thing and start for the next county, and it kept the advance guard busy putting blankets and shawls over the heads of the timid equines until the procession had passed."

Subjects:

Tricycles , Men

Locations:

Concord, NH

People:

Perry, George W., 1891-1971

Organizations:

Boston Woven Hose and Rubber Company

Terms of Use:

For permission to reproduce or publish this item, please contact the New Hampshire Historical Society. Users are responsible for following all copyright and intellectual property laws.

Credit Line:

Gift of May Nutter.

Restrictions:

Available for research.

Level Description:

Item

Box Number:

11