Spherical Transparent Velocipede, 1884

The spherical transparent velocipede operated on a method similar to an acrobat progressing on a ball. A hollow sphere made of some transparent but strong material, with a built-in door, and a seat attached to the sides. Once inside, the rider simply walked down the side of the sphere and the sphere started to move forwards. If he wanted to go right or left, he just leaned his body slightly in the desired direction and the sphere would follow. To stop, he simply pressed his feet against the place where the sphere touched the ground. If he wanted to go backwards, he simply reversed his steps and the sphere would respond immediately. But that is not all. The inventor claimed that if the rider arrived at a river the rider, going as fast as he could, would roll down the bank with enough speed to bring him to the other side of the river. The sphere would float on the water and continue to revolve until it has reached the opposite bank. For this to work, the sphere needed to be airtight

Picture No

12698044

Media ID

47677436

Size

4800px x 2705px (8.6MB)

Credit

Science Source/Mary Evans