"Regina" Bicycle, 1895

Summary

Louis Ives of Dearborn, Michigan, applied a different drive system to the early safety bicycle. If you look closely at this 1890s bicycle it has no chain. The pedals operated a ratchet gear system to turn the back wheel. This drive system, like the shaft-drive chainless, failed to catch on and few were manufactured.

Louis Ives of Dearborn, Michigan, applied a different drive system to the early safety bicycle. If you look closely at this 1890s bicycle it has no chain. The pedals operated a ratchet gear system to turn the back wheel. This drive system, like the shaft-drive chainless, failed to catch on and few were manufactured.

Artifact

Bicycle

Date Made

1895

Creators

Ives, Louis 

Place of Creation

United States, Michigan, Dearborn 

Creator Notes

Designed and made by Louis Ives of Dearborn, Michigan.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

29.2102.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Metal
Wood (Plant material)
Rubber (Material)
Leather

Color

Black (Color)
Maroon
Red

Dimensions

Height: 40.5 in

Width: 19.25 in

Length: 70 in

Wheelbase: 42.5 in

Inscriptions

On frame: 11 On pedals: C E M

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