Oldreive Tricycle, 1882

View of Charles Oldreive's new tricycle; the New Iron Horse, with a lady inside. In 1876, James Starley developed the Coventry Lever Tricycle, which used two small wheels on the right side and a large drive wheel on the left side; power was supplied by hand levers. In 1877, Starley developed a new vehicle he called the Coventry Rotary, which was one of the first rotary chain drive tricycles. By 1884, there were over 120 different models produced by 20 manufacturers. Tricycles were used by riders who did not feel comfortable on the high wheelers, such as women who wore long, flowing dresses. Photographed by Charles Wood Oldreive, 1882

Picture No

12695869

Media ID

47666578

Size

4500px x 3112px (1.3MB)

Credit

LOC/Science Source/Mary Evans