PicNik Time

This bike was given to our now 36 year daughter, when she first learned how to ride.My father was a antique / junk collector. This bike was made in Italy, Although I have looked up the PICNIK name on the internet I haven't been able to tell to much about it. It has these hinges in a few different spots and if i remember correctly the bike folds in half. It's been buried in the cellar now but I watched the show the other night, So i wanted to see if it was in good shape .What reasons , would they have for making a bike that folds? Maybe so it fit in the trunk or something easier to transport?