i can't vouch for 30's-40s, but i have the faintest recollection of being stuffed into one like that, and being riden around by my brother or someone. that would be early-mid 60's.

i want to say it was a separated old steel wheel skate on a 2x4 with some kind of crate on the front. it's an old memory just brought back when i read this though, so i'm just guessing from what i know now of how it might have been made.