Bicycle, Handmade by Henry V. Hemeyer, circa 1935
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Artifact Overview
Henry V. Hemeyer's son, Frederick, wanted a bicycle, but the family couldn't afford one during the Great Depression. The resourceful father instead built a bike from galvanized water pipe and flat steel. The finished cycle is held together with nuts and bolts rather than welds, is driven by gears rather than a chain, and has wheels made from bent pipe.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Bicycle
Date Made
circa 1935
Creators
Creator Notes
Handmade by Henry V. Hemeyer
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
98.4.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Raymond C. Smith.
Material
Steel (Alloy)
Technique
Handmade
Dimensions
Height: 38.5 in (At front wheel to handle bars.)
Width: 22.25 in
Length: 63 in
Wheelbase: 40 in
Weight: 70 lbs
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Related Content
SetBicycles
- 25 Artifacts
Charles Metz of Waltham, Massachusetts, built the Orient Oriten in 1896 as a way to promote his Orient line of bicycles. Metz featured this 23-foot-long, 305-pound ten-seater at bicycle meets and races throughout the country. Though difficult to ride, the vehicle could reach speeds of 45 miles per hour. The Henry Ford owns the only surviving Oriten.