"Ingo-Bike" Scooter, circa 1935

Summary

Brothers Phillip and Prescott Huyssen patented their Ingo-Bike design in 1934. The scooter's rear wheel has an off-center hub. When a rider bounced up and down on the deck, the movement of the rear fork on that eccentric hub drove the scooter forward. Riding required rhythm -- you had to match your motions to the wheel's rotation.

Brothers Phillip and Prescott Huyssen patented their Ingo-Bike design in 1934. The scooter's rear wheel has an off-center hub. When a rider bounced up and down on the deck, the movement of the rear fork on that eccentric hub drove the scooter forward. Riding required rhythm -- you had to match your motions to the wheel's rotation.

Artifact

Scooter (Land vehicle)

Date Made

circa 1935

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

62.152.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Steel (Alloy)
Rubber (Material)
Wood (Plant material)

Color

Red

Dimensions

Height: 45 in

Width: 20 in

Length: 77 in

Wheelbase: 54 in

Inscriptions

Rubber mat on platform marked: A BORG WARNER PRODUCT / INGO-BIKE / INGERSOLL STEEL & DISC CO., CHICAGO, ILL.-PAT NO.1679819, PATS.PENDING Plate on front of frame marked: INGERSOLL / STEEL /& / DISC CO. / CHICAGO, / ILL. / INGO / BIKE / A / BORG-WARNER / PRODUCT / PAT 1679819 / PAT. PENDING.

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