Home front : German bicycle wheel, with wooden tyre and steel springs

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.