The Kicking Machine

Get your kicks at Martha's Favorite Things! 

Here stands the 60+ year old Self Kicking Machine.  The machine was built by Tom Haywood and was displayed outside of his store the Croatan, Riverdale section of Craven County between Havelock and New Bern.  The machine has made its rounds and was even moved to a location about 50 miles away.  In 1991, the Kicking Machine was returned to its original location and now sits outside of Martha's Favorite Things.  If you don't stop by our store and visit us for a spell, we suggest you go use the machine cause you'd be missing out on some great finds and some great company!

 

How does it work?

The wheel has four spokes with boots attached to them. The "Kickee" turns his back to the shoes and turns the crank, activating the wheel and allowing himself to be kicked as the boots pass by his derriere.  It looks like a kick by just one boot is enough.  Ouch!

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Excerpt from

Sun Journal

By Melanie Hammons

Advertising Staff Writer

Circa 1995

 

Martha's Favorite Things has another claim to fame that other antique stores could wish to have.  Remember the times you've said to yourself, "I could have kicked myself for saying (doing) that,"?  Well mounted outside the store is the famous kicking machine of days gone by.

     Legend has it that the late actress/comedienne Lucille Ball, ball player Babe Ruth and President Harry Truman all made stops here to see the kicking machine," said Charles Davis. "Whether it actually was them, we probably will never know.  But the kicking machine is still here for anyone to see."

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See more at this website featuring a video all about the Kicking Machine!:

http://features.aroundcarolina.com/carolinacamera/default.asp