welcome questions mailer wallpaper icons essays viewer resources HOME 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 occassionally, people volunteer additional information with the photo submissions. there are times when the words prove as compelling as the image and i thought i'd share some of them that have stood out. (essay is towards the bottom of the page) 1944 war bicycle submitted by Ruud Vermeij (netherlands) everyman 2004 - from the attic This photo was taken in 1944, during the German occupation of Europe. German soldiers took away the bicycles of all civilians in my country, The Netherlands. But my uncle Lambert van Bergen (the young man at the left) had a brilliant idea. From parts of an adults bicycle and a kids bike, he made a very special new bicycle. On this 'war bicycle' his dad - on the right of the photo - could ride to his work every day, because NO German wanted to be seen on THAT particular bike. My grandpa didn't mind one bit, and as the photo shows - probably taken on a Sunday, since both of them are wearing their best clothes - he was mighty proud of his son, outsmarting the Germans.