Inventor of the coin-operated mechanical Hobbie Horse. US patent number 1,863,012 was filed on February 21, 1931. The patent was photographed and explained in the February 1932 issue of the magazine, Popular Mechanics and within days of the magazine's publication there were inquiries from potential buyers from across the nation. By the end of 1932 the Hobby Horse was named the most original invention of 1932 by the National Association of Amusement Parks. Over one hundred hobby horses were produced at Hahs Machine Works. Otto also applied for a patent for a propelling mechanism for rowboats and a tomato peeler.∼From his obituary in an undated newspaper clipping: Born at Daisy in Cape Girardeau Cty, Mo, and resident of 222 Dorothy St, Sikeston, Mo. Died at age 77 in the Missouri Delta Community Hospital. Proprietor of the Hahs Machine Works for 33 years and widely known machine and mechanical inventor. Began his career at age 16 and had a knowledge of both steam and gasoline engines. Best known for the manufacture of mechanical horses for children. He manufactured more than 100 horses in the 1930's which were distributed all over the world, some are known to be operating today. Married Lena Marie Smith 10/17/1916 who survives, along with sons William A. and James O. Jr both of Sikeston, Chalres of Oak Ridge, TN and Thomas of Wappingers Falls, NY; daughters Mrs John (Lucille) Smith of Columbus, OH and Mrs John C. (Lois) Harvey of Hugoton, KS; 15 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; and sister Myrtle Crites of Jackson. The body is at Welsh Funeral Home and arrangements are incomplete. Pallbearers will be Harold Boardman, Otis Thompson, Jimmy Allen, James Bryant, Curtis Moore and Boy Dyer.