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.

Date Made: ca 1869

Maker: Roper, Sylvester H.

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: Massachusetts

See more items in: Work and Industry: Transportation, Road, Bicycling, America on the Move, Transportation, Road Transportation

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Gift of John H. Bacon

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: TR.314809Catalog Number: 314809Accession Number: 209499

Object Name: bicycleVelocipedeOther Terms: Velocipede; Road; Steam

Measurements: overall: 3 15/16 ft x 2 1/8 ft x 6 9/16 ft; 1.1936 m x .64008 m x 2.0065 m

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ac-690f-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1339960

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