Ice cream cones and X-ray machines were popularized at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. Will “pedicabs” – those passenger carts pulled by bicycle riders – be mainstreamed by the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver?

Big events like conventions and fairs offer entrepreneurs a big opportunity to get their new inventions exposure to lots of people in a short period of time. Entrepreneurs can very quickly see whether there’s demand for their goods and get real-time feedback. (Giving away free product can also be a good way to generate buzz at big events, as I wrote last week.)

Today, my colleague Stephanie Simon highlights how Denver pedicab companies hope the Democratic National Convention will be their chance to show consumers the wonders of being driven by a bicycle rickshaw rather than a gas-guzzling taxi cab on short trips.

It seems perfect timing. Convention goers are trying hard to be environmentally conscious, so riding in pedicabs instead of taxis fits nicely into the green theme. What’s more, the crowds of Democrats descending on Denver provide ample chance for pedicab drivers to find people willing to give them a whirl.

Of course, trying to make a big leap into the market during a major event also carries risks. If the product or service isn’t in top form, it may taint customer perceptions and dissuade them from ever trying it again. For that reason, Denver pedicab companies made sure their drivers spent many hours practicing their craft before the convention. Some held “boot camps” teaching new drivers how to maneuver sharp curves and learning the best routes and local landmarks so they could give riders tours of the city. Some drivers are even taking it upon themselves to eat 8,000-calorie “Michael Phelps” diets to gear up for the long hours of intense bicycling.