Tribune "Blue Streak" Bicycle, Used by Barney Oldfield, 1898

Summary

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.

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

Bicycle

Date Made

1898

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

Diameter: 25 in  (Wheel Diameter)

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

Barney Oldfield Riding the "Blue Streak" Bicycle o...

Details

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