Van Anden Dexter Velocipede, 1869
Van Anden Dexter Velocipede, 1869
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- Description
- William Van Anden of Poughkeepsie, New York was granted patent no. 88238 on March 23, 1869, covering "improvement in velocipedes." This improvement consisted of a "ratchet device" or free-wheeling unit in the hub of the front wheel. This improvement, well ahead of its time, enables the rider's feet to remain motionless while the velocipede continues to move by momentum, as will a bicycle equipped with a coaster brake. Use of the device is optional, however, for the movement of a small plunger in the hub joins the pedal cranks fast to the axle, as in the conventional velocipede.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- Bicycle, Van Andan
- Other Terms
- Bicycle, Van Andan; Road
- date made
- 1869
- Associated Place
- United States: New York
- ID Number
- TR.310206
- catalog number
- 310206
- accession number
- 112749
- Credit Line
- Gift of Mrs. William M. Van Anden
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: Transportation, Road
- America on the Move
- Bicycling
- Transportation
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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