Hedstrom SeeSaw

Product Information

For almost a century Flexible Flyers were made in Philadelphia at 5th Street and Glenwood Avenue by the S. Directly behind the lobby is the main stairwell of the two more modern buildings from 1909 and 1911, complete with a unique elevator cage running up its center, an interesting and uncommon feature.

For larger items or furniture we recommend Bradleys Furniture Carriers and they can be contacted on: 01748 503 101. However, Allen’s new patent for a steerable sled would change his life and propel his company into the national spotlight. The toy was offered in all sizes, from 38” long for children to 101” models capable of carrying six grown adults.Allen began manufacturing sleds at his factory as a way to keep business and production steady year round. The Allen factory was purchased in 1971 by the Goettner family, who uses it for their restaurant and bakery equipment business, Sander Supply. Up and down, spinning all around, a springy children’s seesaw offers big fun for the slightly more adventurous, and we have the perfect solution for you here at Yates Playgrounds. Discouraged, but undeterred, within days Allen recovered the salvageable machinery and quickly moved the business into a recently vacated soap factory near 2nd and Catherine Streets. At the top level is damage left by a four alarm fire that ripped though the building in 2005, destroying much of the wood covered floor.

My great-grandmother worked for the family for 10 years as an indentured servant after coming over from Ireland as a teenager. Steel powder coated, it pivots on large sealed roller bearings for a long and virtually maintenance free life. To think about the amount of joy that building brought to the world for nearly 100 years is just amazing. L. Allen for 20 some years as did his brother in law John Hornketh, my older brother George, a cousin, and many good friends.

Most are either inflatable or made of hard plastic today, but if you ask people over 30 to describe one what comes to their mind is an image that is more akin to old Christmas advertisements, Norman Rockwell paintings and Rosebud in Citizen Kane–a sled of wood and steel, a Flexible Flyer, a name once legendary with children throughout the country.

My grandmother was Rose Mordine Petree and her sister Anna married a Masciantonio, I believe he was John. Llewellyn, worked for this company for 52 years, finishing as president throughout the 1950’s until he retired in the early 1960’s. Here at OLP we can create the perfect play area for your town or village, whether you are looking for an entire refit, or an upgrade of some current equipment we have something to suit all tastes and budgets.As more rural farms grew in size the need for walk-behind implements diminished, and the firm switched to large tractors and equipment manufacturing. On August 17, 1889 Allen received patent number 408,681 for his design of a sled that had laterally bending runners, which allowed it it to be steered, and the Flexible Flyer was born. L. Allen factory closed its doors for good in 1968, and the Flexible Flyer name was sold to a California conglomerate, Leisure Group, ending production of the sled in Philadelphia.

I thought outloud about the kid who gave the name “Flyers” to the Hockey Team and where he might have gotten the idea for such a name from. In September 1866 Allen created his first original invention, the Planet Drill, a fertilizer drill with a wheel that reminded him of the rings of Saturn. L. Allen Company, which began not as a producer of toys or sporting goods, but as a manufacturer of farming equipment. I pleaded with my wife that I wanted it for my granddaughter but it’s for me because we had them and Speedways in the sixties growing up so I was prompted to check on the history of the sleds. I was granted permission from the family to tour and photograph the inside of the once bustling facility.We are happy to pack and send small items such as single items of jewellery and medals via Royal Mail (padded A4 envelope size only). A proud native of Delaware County, Masciantonio carries a lifelong fascination with Philadelphia's deep, layered past. As an exciting item of playground equipment, our innovative kids seesaw is fun to use on its own or in the company of others, and sure to be a huge hit in your playground.