St. Clair Bicycle Made by the Wright Brothers, 1897-1901

Summary

After their 1901 glider didn't perform as expected, Wilbur and Orville Wright modified a bicycle to test the data used to shape their wings. Riding the bike generated a breeze that simulated the air pressure against a wing in flight. Although this St. Clair bicycle was built by the Wrights, it is not the actual bike used in their experiments.

After their 1901 glider didn't perform as expected, Wilbur and Orville Wright modified a bicycle to test the data used to shape their wings. Riding the bike generated a breeze that simulated the air pressure against a wing in flight. Although this St. Clair bicycle was built by the Wrights, it is not the actual bike used in their experiments.

Artifact

Bicycle

Date Made

1897-1901

Creators

Wright Cycle Company 

Wright, Orville, 1871-1948 

Wright, Wilbur, 1867-1912 

Place of Creation

United States, Ohio, Dayton 

Creator Notes

Made by the Wright Brothers at their Wright Cycle Company, Dayton, Ohio

 On Exhibit

On Loan - National Air & Space Museum (Washington, DC)

Object ID

37.724.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Cole.

Material

Leather
Nickel (Metal)
Wood (Plant material)

Technique

Plating (Metal Coating)

Color

Black (Color)
Brown

Dimensions

Height: 45 in

Width: 29 in

Length: 74 in

Inscriptions

Medallion on front of bicycle marked: ST. CLAIR / WRIGHT CYCLE CO / DAYTON, OHIO Chain wheel marked: FAUBER SPECIAL / PAT / ? / '99. Cranks marked: PATENT MAR 7, 98 / TRADE MARK. In the middle of the medallion is an embossed log cabin. Serial #421

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