For generations the Big Wheel ® has been a family favorite in providing children's fun play and development of early learning motor skills. Today's parents have special childhood memories that include endless hours of joy on their original Big Wheel ®.
The Big Wheel ® was first developed by Louis Marx Toys and presented to the public at the 1969 New York Toy Fair. The Big Wheel® immediately became a national success.
In 1972, Carolina Enterprises introduced a Big Wheel ® style tricycle called the Hot Cycle ®. By the late seventies, the two toy cycle companies merged to become known as Empire Industries. Big Wheel ® by then had grown to become a house hold brand name. Most every family in America had a Big Wheel ® in the garage.
An additional boost to the success of the Big Wheel® was a report released on toy safety spawned by the Consumer Products Safety Commission. The report stated that of many bicycle and tricycle related injuries, the "low slung" Big Wheel ® was far and away safer than traditional bicycles.
Marketing survey's of the 70's, 80's, and 90's constantly place Big Wheel ® near the top of the list as one of the most recognizable household brand names of all time.
Over the years, countless Fortune 500 companies have used the Big Wheel ® in promotional campaigns by associating their product with that of the Big Wheel ®. Late in 2003, a major Florida theme park opened a new nostalgic-themed hotel property with a three-story replica of the Big Wheel ® as one of its main centerpieces.
Big Wheel ® continues to be a leader in the cycle category. During the last several years many other tricycle designers and manufacturers have been inspired by the Big Wheel ® and developed and designed their own trikes with a bigger wheel in the front
