Tribune "Blue Streak" Bicycle, Used by Barney Oldfield, 1898
THF108118 / Tribune "Blue Streak" Bicycle, Used by Barney Oldfield, 1898
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Artifact Overview
The sleek, light Tribune "Blue Streak," built by Black Manufacturing Company of Erie, Pennsylvania, was a racing favorite. Charles "Mile-a-Minute" Murphy used a Tribune "Blue Streak" to set the mile speed record in 1899. This 1898 model was used by another cyclist who later became America's first automobile racing hero: Barney Oldfield.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Bicycle
Date Made
1898
Creators
Place of Creation
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
35.738.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Barney Oldfield.
Material
Steel (Alloy)
Nickel (Metal)
Rubber (Material)
Leather
Wood (Plant material)
Color
Light blue
Brown
Red
Dimensions
Height: 37 in
Width: 20 in
Length: 69 in
Wheelbase: 44 in
Diameter: 25 in (Wheel Diameter)
Weight: 19 lbs
Inscriptions
Leather seat: PERSONS / MAJESTIC / MFG. CO. / WORCESTER / MASS.U.S.A.
Gold lettering on forward frame tube: The BLUE STREAK
Rims: A.J. LOBDELL / WOOD RIMS / ALMA, MICH
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Related Artifacts
ArtifactBarney Oldfield Riding the "Blue Streak" Bicycle on the Salt Palace Board Track, Salt Lake City, Utah, circa 1900
Auto racing legend Barney Oldfield began his racing career on two wheels. The Ohio native began racing bicycles in his teens -- winning a number of competitions. This photo shows the young Oldfield in his early twenties at a race track in Salt Lake City. In 1902, this fearless Ohioan turned his talents to auto racing -- piloting the Henry Ford designed race car "999."
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