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Roper Steam Velocipede, about 1869
- Description
- Sylvester Roper, a machinist and inventor in Massachusetts, built this steam velocipede and demonstrated it at fairs and circuses. It is believed to be the oldest existing American motorcycle. With its forged iron frame and wooden wheels, it resembles a velocipede, a popular bicycle of the late 1860s. The saddle served as a water tank for the boiler, which was heated by a firebox that burned charcoal. Twisting the handlebar controlled the throttle and brakes. Roper built several other steam vehicles, including another motorcycle in 1895, but he died just before the motor vehicle manufacturing industry got underway.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1869
- maker
- Roper, Sylvester H.
- ID Number
- 1956.209499.01
- catalog number
- 314809
- accession number
- 209499
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Round Button Inlayed with Pearl Chips
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1960.233749.0001
- accession number
- 1960.233749
- catalog number
- 233749.0001
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Round Button Inlayed with Pearl Chips
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1960.233749.0002
- accession number
- 1960.233749
- catalog number
- 233749.0002
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Round Button Inlayed with Pearl Chips
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1960.233749.0009
- accession number
- 1960.233749
- catalog number
- 233749.0009
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Round Button Covered with Multicolored Chips
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1960.233749.0013
- accession number
- 1960.233749
- catalog number
- 233749.0013
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Round Button with Gold Star Inlayed Around the Center Hole
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1960.233749.0025
- accession number
- 1960.233749
- catalog number
- 233749.0025
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Round Button Inlayed with a Center Stripe of Pearl
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1960.233749.0051
- accession number
- 1960.233749
- catalog number
- 233749.0051
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Black Oval Button Inlayed with a Pearl Floral Pattern
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1960.233749.0053
- accession number
- 1960.233749
- catalog number
- 233749.0053
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Cut Steel Button with Pearl Ring
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1960.233749.0066
- accession number
- 1960.233749
- catalog number
- 233749.0066
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Gold Colored Cut Steel Button with Decorative Star Pattern
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1960.233749.0076
- accession number
- 1960.233749
- catalog number
- 233749.0076
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
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