Toy wagon
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A toy wagon has the same structure as the traditional, larger wagon, but is much smaller and has an open top. An average wagon is able to seat one child, and is generally propelled by human power through a handle at the front. Some famous brands are Radio Flyer,Red Rider, Northern Tool and Equipment, Lowes, and Speedway Express. The average wagon cost generally about $100, however prices can go up to $400.
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[edit] History
Ancient cultures such as the Mayans and the Aztec had toy carts.
[edit] US History
Toy wagons have been around since the late 1800s, and are traditionally painted red . They were originally made of wood. Antonio Pasin started making wagons in 1923 and eventually started the Radio Flyer company. He produced many of them in his workshop in Chicago and they became a national hit after the 1933 Chicago World Fair. His toy wagons helped bring people back from the thoughts of the looming war to their simple pleasures.
[edit] Design
The basic design of toy wagons has been the same since the late 1800s. Usually a small wagon contains 9, 12, or 16 bolts. The back axle usually contains 4 bolts and the front varies between the different steering designs. The wheel can vary between air tires, a hard rubber tire, or hard plastic tires. Some small kids wagon are made completely out of plastic. Some are made of wood, aluminum, or poly, or steel. The shape of the handle also can be different, some shaped like a T, other like a D, some are shaped with a circle handhold at the end. The main problem with wagons is rust. Wagons are usually painted in outdoor paint so they won't rust, however all wagons eventually will get slightly battered.
[edit] Purposes
Besides using wagons for play, people also use them for small outdoor projects. Companies, such as Northern Tool, Lowes and Tractor Supply Company makes wagons specifically for outdoor work. Usually they are painted a different color than red and are made of metal. They are also usually larger and more expensive. Wagons can be useful if you need to move dirt, wood chips, mulch, or gravel. They can also be used in gardening for moving plants. They make nursery wagons just for professional gardening. Nursery wagons let dirt and water go through the bottom and are good for plants and pots in a greenhouse. They can also be used for moving camping gear or boxes. Companies such as DR Power Equipment make power wagons that have a motor. They are many used for small farms. Some companies such as Speedway Express make huge 8 wheeled wagons and are made of wood, usually handmade by The Amish.
[edit] Wagon Riding
Wagon riding is an unofficial sport that involves a rider sitting on a wagon going down hills trying to break speed records or race. Some organization such as the Pro Wagon Riding use modern technology so that more people can learn about wagon riding and make it an official sport. Some people ride wagons and put their videos on YouTube. People ride wagons anyway they want but in the PWR (Professional Wagon Riding) some rules apply such as putting your foot down to much. The PWR was founded in 2007 and started putting videos on the internet in 2009. [1] Wagon Riding is usually done wearing a helmet and involves small wagons. Wagon riding can be on or off-road.
[edit] Monuments
In 1997 Radio Flyer made a huge wagon 27 feet long and 13 feet wide to celebrate the 80th anniversary on Radio Flyer. The wagon weighted 15,000 and is constructed of steel.
