mechanical, wood and metal, all original, circa 1890, 42" long... The real "toys" were used for movement, quite like a bicycle. However, they had 3 wheels and a young child use his hands to create the movement of this vehicle. A handle moves back and forth to transfer energy to a wheel. The The handle is attached to a long shaft that is off-centered to a round gear. This causes an elliptical type of rotary movement to transfer energy. The child is seated on the toy and needn't know how to balance on the toy, as it has 3 wheels to stay on the ground.