An Unusual Patent in 1900
In 1900, Louis S. Burbank patented an inventive twist on traditional cycling: the rowing bicycle. Vander Bie, an American inventor, sought to create a bicycle propelled by a rowing motion rather than the usual pedaling. The patent, filed in the United States (US Patent No. 656,323), outlined the unique mechanism that allowed riders to push and pull a set of handles connected to the rear wheel, transferring motion to the bike in a style similar to rowing a boat.
How It Worked
The rowing bicycle featured a series of levers and pulleys that enabled the bike to move forward with each row. The handlebars moved back and forth, using the rider’s arm strength to power the motion rather than relying solely on leg power. This design provided a different, full-body workout compared to conventional bikes and presented an alternative mode of transport.
Impact and Legacy
Though the rowing bicycle never became mainstream, Vander Bie’s concept laid the groundwork for later designs and exercise equipment that used similar principles.
In 1900, American inventor Charles A. Vander Bie patented a rowing bicycle (US Patent No. 656,323), a bicycle moved by a rowing motion instead of pedaling. Vander Bie’s design allowed riders to push and pull handlebars, which propelled the bike forward, simulating rowing. pic.twitter.com/vJjlKGp62I
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