Man with a Safety Bicycle, circa 1890

THF203410 / Man with a Safety Bicycle, circa 1890
01

Artifact Overview

An unidentified cyclist poses with a Victor safety bicycle built by Overman Wheel Company of Chicopee, Massachusetts. An early complaint with the safety was its rough ride. Overman designed the spring fork -- notice the large C-shape curving down from the handlebars -- to counter vibration. True riding comfort however came with the invention and adoption of pneumatic tires.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Cabinet photograph

Date Made

circa 1890

Subject Date

circa 1890

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

86.18.118.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Cardboard
Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process
Mounting

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 6.438 in
Width: 4.188 in

Inscriptions

Handwritten in ink on front: Spring fork Victor Safety bicycle / made by the Overman Wheel Co.
Man with a Safety Bicycle, circa 1890