You might say I was born at the perfect time. Those born in 1959 avoided the most dreaded of fates: being drafted and sent to Vietnam. On June 30, 1973, the draft was officially ended. I was about to turn fourteen. On March 29, 1975, even registration stopped.
And being teenagers in the 70's, we were shielded from many scourges that appeared later, notably inexpensive recreational drugs. While my religious upbringing kept me out of trouble anyway, our generation as a whole never got hooked on things like crack, meth, or other cheap addictions, at least as teenagers.
But those of us who remember JFK were sadly cheated out of one delight: the Big Wheel trike.
This column marks a milestone for I Remember JFK. It is being written in response to its being requested by site visitors. And that's a good thing. It means we HAVE visitors ;-).
The Big Wheel was developed by Marx Toys and introduced at the 1969 New York Toy Fair. In 1972, a company called Carolina Enterprises introduced the Hot Cycle, a successful Big Wheel clone. By the late seventies, the two companies had merged to become known as Empire Industries. By then, practically every household in America with ten-year-olds also had a Big Wheel (or two) sitting in the garage.
While the Big Wheel was introduced when I was ten years old myself, they didn't make it to northwest Arkansas where I was living at the time until the early 70's. By then, I was simply too gangly to fit on one. Besides, trikes were for KIDS!
But I used to watch jealously as younger ones would tear down the street, pull that brake, and do incredible spinouts. Try THAT on a regular tricycle!
The Big Wheel was a major hit for many reasons. First of all, it looked stinking cool to a kid! Second, it was composed mainly of inexpensive plastic, so it was cheaper than a regular trike. And it was also safe, its low profile making them impossible to tip over in even the most wicked spinouts.
Despite the sales of untold millions of Big Wheels in the 70's and 80's, Empire Industries went belly-up. Big Wheel sales had plummeted for some reason. But they have been revived, and Boomers can buy one for a grandchild at the local discount store.
Just don't be surprised if you again find yourself jealously watching a younger one doing bonzer spinouts.
Comments (4)
You actually are NEVER too gangly to ride a Big Wheel. We had a couple in our garage, including some that my brothers and I scavenged from the side of the road. Those were--for obvious reasons--suffering from flat spots on the tires, but a ton of fun nonetheless.
So how did you use one when you got "too big?" Simple, pull the blue seat out (it had a series of 3 holes to adjust the position) and you could ride on the deck with your rear end hanging off until 13 years old (easy) or, if you were small like me, 15!
Posted by Mark Pilipczuk | February 23, 2007 6:44 PM
Posted on February 23, 2007 18:44
I remember racing down the driveway in the summer time and flipping over on them. Now you can't seem to find them.
Posted by Matt | March 3, 2007 7:00 PM
Posted on March 3, 2007 19:00
I have to agree with Ron, gangly was how I would put it too! I missed the Big Wheel! I remember it well and saying, I wish they had these when I were younger. I will admit I have road one, but being too big for it, it wasn't a good experience. I also was apart of the selective service ending it's mandatory sign up policy! 1959 was a good year! I do remember seeing younger kids colide into each other with big wheels! Fun lost on a boomer to big to use one!
Posted by Rivers End | June 4, 2009 9:27 PM
Posted on June 4, 2009 21:27
I bought a few Big Wheels for my young progenitors in the eighties; oh they loved them!!
Now, I want one for my grand child, where in the world can I find them?
Posted by S.C.Miller | November 4, 2009 9:40 AM
Posted on November 4, 2009 09:40