takkenfiets
26

Twig Tricycle, from France, 1890

A tricycle that took ten years to produce.

This tricycle is entirely made of tree branches, except for the pedal set and chain. The frame consists of one single piece. The wood was continuously wetted, bent and dried before production could continue. Manufacturer Gardais à Couhé spent ten years searching for forked twigs for the spokes. The handlebar looks like a stork’s nest, and is also completely made of wood. Small wonder that Velorama’s fire insurer demands a total smoking ban in the building! The tricycle is rideable.