Figure 1.--Here we se a boy on a Fairy Tricycle. Note that there are no pedals. The portrait is unidentified and undated, but was probanly taken about 1890. |
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Initially there were two types of trikes. The Fairy Triycle vried from the stndard design. It had a hand pumping action for propulsion. Eventually the pedal bikes became standardized. These had the advantage tat a person could stear with his hand and propel the trike with is feet through direct pedal power. The Fairy trike, however, had some advantage for use wih handicpped individuals. Fairy tricycles were produced by the Fay Manufacturing company beginning in 1885. The design featured two large rear wheels, a basket seat, no pedals, and a steering bar that was pumped up and down to drive the rear wheels. Early Fay ads touted the Fairy Tricycle as "Easy, Cheap, Healthful, Graceful. Best for girls, adults, and invalids. Only practical machine for cripples to run by hand-power." At the time we also see children using them, but the pedal trikes proved to be much more popular.
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