This strange-looking machine was built by a Worcester man, Mr. Harry Savage, about 1896. Mr. Savage worked at a firm of Agricultural Implement Makers, J. L. Larkworthy & Co., of Sansome Place, Worcester. The water cycle “sailed” down the River Severn, ca. 1896. No doubt this employment gave him the skills and the opportunity toContinue reading “The Amphibious Tricycle, ca. 1886”
Category Archives: inventions
Historic Image of Jack Daniel Seated Next to George Green, the Son of Nathan “Nearest” Green, ca. 1904
There is an interesting picture that hangs in Mr. Jack Daniel’s old office. It’s a picture of Mr. Jack taken with his Distillery crew. What makes the portrait so intriguing is the gentleman sitting immediately to Jack’s right, an African-American worker. Given the time period when this photograph was taken – around the 1900s –Continue reading “Historic Image of Jack Daniel Seated Next to George Green, the Son of Nathan “Nearest” Green, ca. 1904”
1923 Christie Monowheel, the Mother of All Monowheels
The product of the fertile imagination of a Professor E. J. Christie of Marion, Ohio, this gyroscopic unicycle was supposedly capable of speeds of up to 400 miles per hour, although at the time of an article from the April, 1923 issue of Popular Science, it had yet to be tested. To be fair, theContinue reading “1923 Christie Monowheel, the Mother of All Monowheels”
Mechanical Hands With Remote Control: GE Master-Slave Manipulator by John Payne, 1948
The village blacksmith of Longfellow may have had “muscles like iron bands,” but scientist John Payne of General Electric has done him one better; he has arms and hands made of steel, and what’s more, he can operate his from the next room. Designed for use by re-mote control in radioactive areas, a pair ofContinue reading “Mechanical Hands With Remote Control: GE Master-Slave Manipulator by John Payne, 1948”
Family Ride on a Five Seat Bike in England, 1950
Who needs a van when you can ride as a family! How cool is this family circa 1950. Mr. Eric Jewell, of Dukes Avenue, Finchley, London, finds the solution to go with his whole family to the countryside: a five seat bike. Here, Jewell with his wife and children on a “quinticycle” – adapted fromContinue reading “Family Ride on a Five Seat Bike in England, 1950”
Pictures of 1952 Executive Flagship, the World’s Most Exciting Mobile Home
The Pan-American division of Mid-States Corporation built the Executive Flagship, the world’s most complete and exciting mobile home and office. Mid-States was a large trailer manufacturer so this one-of-a-kind mobile home was a perfect rolling advertisement for the company. The Executive Flagship was designed by the company president William B. MacDonald. It was a 65-footContinue reading “Pictures of 1952 Executive Flagship, the World’s Most Exciting Mobile Home”
The Evinrude Flying Saucer Fishing Boat, 1957
The Flying Saucer fishing boat was designed by maritime company Evinrude and was said to be the work of Brooks Stevens. It was the first of its kind to be built and had seen trial runs, reportedly on Milwaukee River and had even graced the 1957 New York Boat Show, but was never commercially manufactured.Continue reading “The Evinrude Flying Saucer Fishing Boat, 1957”
15 Vintage Photographs of Bugle Megaphones From the Mid-20 Century
Bugle megaphones were used on military garrisons to help amplify the sound of the bugle. Used in a garrison environment, the megaphone was mounted to a swivel on a post enabling the bugler to play in any direction and the sound to carry further and over a broader area. These pedestals were usually placed nearContinue reading “15 Vintage Photographs of Bugle Megaphones From the Mid-20 Century”
Brutsch 200 “Spatz”, a 3-Seater and 3-Wheeled Car With a Plastic Body in the 1950s
Egon Brütsch Fahrzeugbau, usually shortened to Brütsch, was a German automotive design and automaker based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. Brütsch were best known for producing many microcar designs, but only produced small numbers of each design and the primary function of the company appears to have been that of the development and promotion of each designContinue reading “Brutsch 200 “Spatz”, a 3-Seater and 3-Wheeled Car With a Plastic Body in the 1950s”
The Airstream Funeral Coach, ca 1980s
Did you know? During the 1980s Airstream produced around 32 funeral coaches. Designed to transport the deceased and family and flowers all at once – with space for a coffin, flowers and seating for 14 mourners. In 1981, Airstream introduced a modified motorhome known as the Funeral Coach. It could transport 14 family members, aContinue reading “The Airstream Funeral Coach, ca 1980s”
