"the market for mechanical elephants has been pretty slow in recent years"

[grobmotorix]

This is really different.

You know what it is?

[grobmotorix]

No ideas? Promoted...

[grobmotorix]

Be very creative with your ideas here...  ;)

[Oguerrerob]

Oil Petroleum Driller

[grobmotorix]

Much too technical. No this is a pure fun vehicle!

Go bio....

[gilescooperuk]

flying vehicle?

[grobmotorix]

No, on the contrary it´s very earthbound.

First hint:

mimicry

[gilescooperuk]

Mechanical insect or similar

[grobmotorix]

Kind of the contrary to an insect, but you´re on to something...

[Carnut]

Is it a generator for a fairground ride?

[grobmotorix]

No it´s not an insect but...

[gilescooperuk]

Spider?

[grobmotorix]

As I said - the oppostite to an insect (or spider, too)...

[Oguerrerob]

kind of extractor or sniffer?

[grobmotorix]

I does not have to do something special.
Just driving around at low speed and entertaining people is its very purpose.

So what is it?

Extra point available if you can tell me who was running that very business.

[grobmotorix]

Time to be promoted.

[guido66]

Is this the GE walking truck?

[grobmotorix]

No, it simply rolls like an ordinary car does.

[guido66]

Is it supposed to mimic a long legged animal like a giraffe or a camel?

[grobmotorix]

You´re on the right track, but it´s not this skinny... :D

[gilescooperuk]

Elephant?

[Oguerrerob]

Rhino?

[grobmotorix]

It´s an elephant-mimicking vehicle, indeed.

There have been some all over the world and through the decades.

Can anybody tell me the details?

Is this the GE walking truck?

I think it has got wheels, but it was kind of walking, too, when I ´m looking through the numerous pics...

[Otto Puzzell]

All I can find is the year, location and photographer. From a Life Magazine Pictorial, 1953. Captioned "Mechanical Elephant - Fayetteville, N.C. Photographer: Robert W Kelley"

[Otto Puzzell]

Here's a tidbit...

January 26, 1998
George Wendelken, 'Our Gang' Actor, 81

George T. Wendelken, who played Freckles in the original ''Our Gang'' film comedies of the 1920's, died on Jan. 3. He was 81 and lived in Toms River, N.J.

After his career as a child star, Mr. Wendelken gained prominence during World War II. He served in the Seabees, the United States Navy construction corps, and was wounded in the fighting on Guadalcanal.

When he returned home, he was appointed as the first Enlisted Man's Representative in Washington for the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. He did interviews on Armed Forces Radio, spoke at patriotic rallies around the country and was credited with having sold more than $200 million worth of war bonds.

Mr. Wendelken created the Publicity Searchlight Company, which supplied Army surplus searchlights for film premieres and other events.

He is survived by a daughter, Ellen M. Dinneen of Mantoloking, N.J.; two sons, Gene G., of Toms River and Donald B., of Deer Park, Tex.; seven grandchildren; a sister and four brothers.

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