The Economic Times

In 1889, one invention solved the biggest problem every snow sled had; a flexible piece of steel

In 1889, downhill sledding was a dangerous game. Sleds couldn't steer at all. Riders had to jam a boot into the snow to turn or stop. Quaker inventor Samuel Leeds Allen changed winter forever with the Flexible Flyer. His hinged steel runners finally let kids steer with their hands. Surprisingly, Allen built it to save his farm tool factory from seasonal summer shutdowns. It became an instant American legend.