Andrew Mulligan

Dr. Newcomb

ENG 170: Writing and Rhetoric

2/6/24

The Big Wheel

            The original Big Wheel is a mixed-up tricycle with one large front wheel, two normal rear wheels, riding smooth only a couple inches of clearance off the ground. Most recollected childhood memories have this iconic trike within, mine included. Different variations have derived from this blank canvas of entertainment, due to simplistic factors. The Big Wheel handles like a race car, with the child behind it imagining themselves as the accompanying race-car driver. According to the Strong National Museum of Play: “built only a few inches above the pavement, The Big Wheel allowed high-speed skid-outs on slanted or uneven surfaces”. With its unique design and simplistic goals, the Big Wheel was an amazing outlet for kid’s imaginations, giving them creative independence as well as high speed mobility.

A huge factor in the Big Wheel’s credibility is its lifespan in the toy market. The Strong refers to the re-arranged tricycle as “outliving the company that first introduced it”. The history of this classic object is as important as the design of the toy itself. Introduced in the late sixties by Louis Marx & Co. it was an immediate success, so much so that when the company went out of business in 1985, the Big Wheel was adapted and picked up by multiple other companies, many of whom are still producing it to this day. With it being still produced in the present day, it still caries new generations of kids on low-cruising adventures.

Not only does the Big Wheel attract the younger children, developing their bike riding abilities, it has a knack for retaining youth’s attention as they grow older as well. Much of the older side of children are still amused by the unnatural bike’s design accompanied by the thrill of a high-speed ride. Many different adaptations of the big wheel came with time, as well as new features. A core memory in my childhood was receiving a Big Wheel that could drift corners faster. This evolution of the toy’s design proves its relevancy in current times, being able to keep up with competition through decades in the market.

This article provided by The Strong highlights the importance of the Big Wheel, and how it’s beneficial to children who ride it. The high-speed thrill that children seek out whilst riding, has an extra benefit, unbeknownst to them. “Kids on Big Wheels sought out bumps, corners, and pavements where they could pick up speed.” (The Strong). This excerpt reveals that when riding a big wheel, children were attentive to their surroundings while behind the handles. This is a skill that will be crucial later in life, such as learning to ride a bicycle, or even learning to drive a car. The second aspect that the museum entry emphasizes, is the freedom that the big wheel provides. “The Big Wheel also gave them mobility along with a measure of independence.”(Strong). When racing the trike, kids feel free to go fast and seek out bumps that they’re protected from via the molded plastic design of the Big Wheel. Kids can feel “grown up” by being able to race at higher speeds than they would on a normal tricycle.

To this day The Big Wheel is a talked about toy, whether it be in gift giving ideas, or recollection of fond childhood memories. The infamous abnormal tricycle has survived many companies and generations yet has always maintained the same appealing promise of safe, fast, sidewalk adventures. By distributing handfuls of useful life skills such as quick attentive abilities, adaptation to high-speed situations, and responsibility of freedom allow for these skills to develop early in children of all ages. The iconic, low cruising, Big Wheel tricycle has been a staple of childhood, and acts as a symbol of when we all were young, seeking the moments of youthful freedom.

 

Works Cited:

The Strong National Museum of Play. “The Big Wheel” National Toy Hall of Fame

https://www.museumofplay.org/toys/big-wheel/