It's now 30 years and the National Enquirer still owes me a story
Sun, March 15, 2009
What is this strange looking machine? It is a one of a kind special eight-seat bike built by me and commissioned by the National Enquirer for a photo shoot in 1979.
The photo shoot was of the Rosenkowitz sextuplets, three boys, and three girls born January 11, 1974. They were the worlds first surviving sextuplets. I wrote the story of how I came to build this bike, in an article here in November 2005. As a result of the original article, a member of the family contacted me and was kind enough to send pictures.
The Enquirer told me they didn’t care if the machine was “un-ridable,” they just wanted a picture. Of course I wasn’t going to build something that couldn’t be ridden, even something as bizarre as this.
The proof is here in the picture of the whole family, (From left to right.) Mother Susan, the children Elizabeth, Nicci, Emma, Jason, Grant, and David. Father Colin Rosenkowitz is steering the rig. The children were five years old at the time.
Above is a later picture (Probably mid to late 1990s.) with the same bike, and the six now adults. Note that my name is now painted over with a coat of blue paint.
Below left is a picture of me taken in 1978 at my shop in Worcester, England, with the project under construction.
I have no regrets at being involved in this venture, even though I was never paid. It was and interesting project, one I can tell my grandkids about, and of course readers here.
It was an enjoyable experience to make contact with a member of the Rosenkowitz family.
Out of respect for their privacy I am not about to reveal anymore.
It is now over thirty years, and I’m still waiting for a story from the Enquirer, or a check would be nice.
Reader Comments (6)
Stuff for the circus
Hello Dave -- Awesome build.... some real memories there.
Who cares about the Enquirer!
You have my respect!
Interesting how you built this so that it wouldn't collapse under dead weight and live weight. Those wheels might be taking a high amount of radial load. I wonder how it would behave in potholes. :)
Hi Dave
I am an ex South African myself and I remember the big deal made about the sextuplets as they were growing up. The photo of the 5 year olds and their parents on that bike was prominently featured in the South African media
From the later picture I note the bike is not only now blue, but the tires are flat... LOL
Sorry you never got paid. If there was some arrangement for you to be paid you should have enforced it years ago though .Venting about it all these years later make you sound bitter, even though you claim you're not.
Why don't you make a bike for the Gosselin family ( from John and Kate plus 8) and make sure to get paid up front? :)
Susan,
I have no regrets over any part of my life, and there have been worse things than not being paid for this one. It is nice to be able to write about it here and to say proudly that I made it. But, I'll be damned if I will portray the National Enquirer in a good light.
Dave