St. Clair Bicycle Made by the Wright Brothers, 1897-1901
Add to SetSummary
After their 1901 glider didn't perform as expected, Wilbur and Orville Wright modified a bicycle to test the data used to shape their wings. Riding the bike generated a breeze that simulated the air pressure against a wing in flight. Although this St. Clair bicycle was built by the Wrights, it is not the actual bike used in their experiments.
After their 1901 glider didn't perform as expected, Wilbur and Orville Wright modified a bicycle to test the data used to shape their wings. Riding the bike generated a breeze that simulated the air pressure against a wing in flight. Although this St. Clair bicycle was built by the Wrights, it is not the actual bike used in their experiments.
Artifact
Bicycle
Date Made
1897-1901
Creators
Place of Creation
Creator Notes
Made by the Wright Brothers at their Wright Cycle Company, Dayton, Ohio
On Exhibit
On Loan - National Air & Space Museum (Washington, DC)
Object ID
37.724.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Cole.
Material
Leather
Nickel (Metal)
Wood (Plant material)
Technique
Plating (Metal Coating)
Color
Black (Color)
Brown
Dimensions
Height: 45 in
Width: 29 in
Length: 74 in
Inscriptions
Medallion on front of bicycle marked: ST. CLAIR / WRIGHT CYCLE CO / DAYTON, OHIO Chain wheel marked: FAUBER SPECIAL / PAT / ? / '99. Cranks marked: PATENT MAR 7, 98 / TRADE MARK. In the middle of the medallion is an embossed log cabin. Serial #421
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