He also began repairing and rebuilding bicycles to sell cheaply to families that could not afford new ones.
In town, our soldiers were busy with odd jobs, like repairing bicycles.
As it turned out, Smithart had a welding rig in his shop and would sometimes repair bicycles for the local children.
Its mission is to "teach people of all ages and backgrounds how to repair bicycles."
In addition to making parts for gas stoves, it bought, sold, hired and repaired bicycles as well as the occasional automobile.
Prison officials hope that skills learned here will help freed convicts find jobs repairing bicycles or wheelchairs.
They built their first airplane on the same workbenches where they repaired bicycles.
Nine months later, aged 16, he set up a business repairing bicycles from the family home.
The business being a success he opened a shop at 48, High Street and began manufacturing as well as repairing bicycles.
Three of the "elves" specialized in repairing and repainting old bicycles.