The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Bicycle wheel made from a damaged wooden wheel, to which is attached two pieces of steel. The two pieces of steel are attached together with bolts. Secured to the steel with nuts and bolts are 24 steel springs, which is then inserted into holes drilled into the wooden outer tyre. Notches have been cut into the wooden tyre to accommodate the joined sections of metal. White paint is splashed on parts of the tyre. The ends of the wooden outer tyre are attached through a piece of steel, with four screws holding it in place.
This German bicycle wheel, with a wooden tyre and steel springs was used on the home front during the First World War.
The blockading of Germany by the Royal Navy brought about great shortages of raw materials. Great efforts were made by Germany's military and the civilian population to produce substitute 'ersatz' goods.
The substitute materials used for bicycle tyres included steel wire, leather, wood, prepared canvas, and combinations of them all.
Wooden tyres were used with success, as at least three different types were sold in Germany. In a few cases, the tyres were made of a single piece of wood. Sectional wooden tyres were also available on the market and one of these was made with 47 parts.
Steel frame bicycle wheel with spring supported wooden tyre. The tyre is made from a single strip of wood, which is covered with a small strip of leather. Steel springs were placed between the under s
Improvised trolley made from two wooden, unpainted, Turkish Mauser ammunition boxes. One box has had a long side removed before being attached to another box to create the body of the trolley. This ha
Wooden gas rattle fitted with non-original metal handle from a post Second World War car door. The side profile of the rattle is a half pear shaped figure. All large flat pieces of wood have been sa
Small wooden basket made from three-ply and hard wood, of nailed construction, featuring a wooden base with a pair of side panels to which a pair of uprights is attached, which are joined with a lengt
Wooden basket made from three-ply and hard wood, of nailed construction, featuring a wooden base with a pair of side panels to which a pair of uprights is attached, which are joined with a length of d
Turned wooden toy rolling pin, with blue painted handles. Part of a small range of children’s and doll’s accessories made by Dean’s of Adelaide during the Second World War. The simplicity of design
