Big wheel (tricycle) facts for kids
The Big Wheel is a famous toy tricycle. It's known for its low-to-the-ground design and a very large front wheel. Most Big Wheels are made from plastic.
This fun toy was first made by Louis Marx and Company in 1969. It quickly became super popular in the United States during the 1970s. People loved it because it was affordable. Also, some groups said it was safer than regular tricycles or bicycles. The Big Wheel was often sold to boys aged eight to ten. This meant it was for older and bigger kids than traditional tricycles.
What Are Big Wheel Imitations?
The Big Wheel's design was very popular. Soon, other companies started making similar toys. They used different brand names for their versions. Even though "Big Wheel" was a special registered trademark, many people used the name for any toy that looked like it. This is called a generic name.
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In the early 1980s, Marx Toys went out of business. The "Big Wheel" brand name and its original molds were then sold. Empire Plastics bought them. Empire Plastics used to make the "Power Cycle" brand, which was a big rival to the Big Wheel.
By the late 1990s, fewer companies were making these types of toys. Empire Plastics also faced problems and went out of business in 2001. But don't worry! The Big Wheel brand came back under new owners in 2003. In 2009, the Big Wheel was honored. It was added to the National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong museum in Rochester, New York.
Big Wheel Races and Events
Did you know there are races for big wheel-style tricycles? These fun events happen every year in some places. One famous race is called "Bring Your Own Big Wheel" (BYOBW). It takes place on Easter Sunday in San Francisco.
Another big wheel race happened on June 13, 2009. The Tulsa Big Wheel Racers LLC organized it. This race was a special event to raise money for the Cancer Sucks cancer research center.
