Cedar Crest, New Mexico

Outside True Value Hardware, Cedar Crest, September 2, 2013. The first four are plastic, the smaller two were steel. The two largest ones have stronger "legs" and two wheels. The green and blue ones have tube steel handles. I like the curves toward the axle on the blue one. The green one has the axle fastened to the frame the same way the wooden-handled barrows do.


You can click the image to see a larger version.

1920's, Boston

The papers were for sale on eBay in July 2013 with the title

C.1920 WHEELBARROWS + SOIL SCRAPERS , BARNUM + STONE , BOSTON , MASSACHUSETSS

Under the category Collectibles>Advertising>Agriculture>Other

$24
approximately
£15.73

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/C-1920-WHEELBARROWS-SOIL-SCRAPERS-BARNUM-STONE-BOSTON-MASSACHUSETSS-/221187241346

How old are wheelbarrows?

The Inventors section of About.com says this:

History of Engineering: Wheelbarrow

Chuko Liang (181-234 A.D.) of China is considered to be the inventor of the wheelbarrow. Liang was a general who used the wheelbarrows to transport supplies injured soldiers. The Chinese wheelbarrows had two wheels and required two men to propel and steer.

I say that a two-wheeled "wheelbarrow" is just a handcart, and not nearly as elegant as a one-wheeled conveyance.

And seriously? Were there no wheelbarrows in the world before the third century? I doubt that very much, but if it's right, let's have it. Anyone who knows or cares anything about wheelbarrows, or just thinks they're great, or maybe has once considered them kind of cute—send links or photos or comments.

Wheelbarrows at Lowe's Home Improvement Store near my house, 2012