This image of a boy sitting on an iron horse appeared in the April 1933 issue of Popular Science and is an idea that really should have been developed commercially! A 75 year old idea nonetheless...
"Les Machines de l'Ile Nantes", designed by François Delarozière and Pierre Orefice for the city of Nantes (France). Constructed on the site of the former city dockyards, these steel and wood animal machines consist of moving parts, hydraulics and gear wheels.
Source & Images [VIA]