Milburn 1933 - Tricycle

Bits of Tricycle History

Matthew A. Cherry, an African-American inventor, patented a velocipede (a forerunner to the modern tricycle) in 1888, and it’s often cited as the invention of the tricycle.

Tricycles were first used by those who didn’t feel safe or comfortable on high-wheeler bicycles, mostly women who wore long dresses. The adult tricycle craze fizzled out nearly as quickly as it began when automobiles hit the market, relegating tricycles as children’s toys.

By 1930, tricycles ware commonly ridden by young children who were too small to ride a bicycle. Compared to adult bicycles, these tricycles were basically smaller and simpler versions with three wheels instead of two. Most of them came without brakes or gears and instead have a clumsy front-wheel drive.

In this painting Paul was especially proud to have a “girl” as his passenger and he was showing off by riding his tricycle as fast as he could.