Sled:Flexible Flyer | Airline Pursuit

S. L. Allen produced a wood and steel sled in 1889 at his Philadelphia farm equipment factory to keep his employees busy in the months when farm equipment was not needed. Allen owed the success of his sled, which he dubbed the "Flexible Flyer," to his patented steering mechanism. Sales of Allen's sled lagged until the early 1900s when the "sport" of "coasting" became a popular winter activity. Allen placed the sleds in Macy's in New York and in Wannamaker's in Philadelphia and soon had difficulty keeping stores supplied. Throughout the 1900s, the Flexible Flyer continued to carry youngsters down snowy hills and over icy trails. Though altered by the introduction of new materials and designs, the Flexible Flyer remains a delightful memory of many a child's winter.