1960 Hedstrom Saf Jet Rear-steering Tricycle

Carl H. Hedstrom, E. Gustaf Hedstrom, Knute W. Hedstrom, Wilfred P. Shuffleton, and Walter Beaman founded the Hedstrom Company, Gardner, Massachusets in 1915. The company moved several times in its early years, finally locating on Main Street in 1925. It specialized in the manufacturer of clothes dryers’ hardware and wheels for cribs and bassinets.

In 1919 Hedstrom bought an interest in the Union Manufacturing Company, established two years earlier by William Carlson, Oscar E. Fowelin and Ernest Johnson, at 74 Sherman Street, Gardner, Ma. The company made reed-bodied baby carriages and hoods. Hedstrom and Union merged in 1922 to become Hedstrom Union Company. In 1928 Children’s Vehicle Company of Templeton was acquired. Hedstrom Union Company leased a plant in Fitchburg in 1936. Labor difficulties in 1950 resulted in the closing of the Gardner and Fitchburg facilities. The company moved its manufacturing and business offices to Dotham, Alabama and Bedford, Pennsylvania.

The Hedstrom Corporation still exists. Its Bedford plant produces outdoor gym sets, play balls, toys, etc. The Dotham operation is toy focused.

1960 Hedstrom Saf Jet

Rear-steering Tricycle

13″ Front Wheel

8″ Rear Wheels

This curious perspective is the backside of a rear-steering tricycle. The unique rectangular steering wheel is cocked at the opposite lock to turn the wheels.