1885 (circa) Bayliss, Thomas Eureka direct-steering roadster tricycle

Object/Artifact

Marin Museum of Bicycling

What is the track of the rear wheels? 30 inches? Diameter of wheels? Rear, 40", front, 16"?

Name/Title

1885 (circa) Bayliss, Thomas "Eureka" direct-steering roadster tricycle

Description

This chain-drive tricycle has James Starley's differential gearing, so the drive wheels can turn at appropriate rates while powering through corners. The Eureka has a hand and/or foot-operated band brake. Note the circular brake disc near the down tube. The fork has coil springs at each end of the head tube. A slightly later version served as the model for Carl Benz' 1886 motor car.

Collection

Kaminski Collection - 19th and early 20th century cycles, collected by Perry Kaminski and donated in 2019 by his widow Juli England.

Acquisition

Accession

2019.11.20-Kaminski

Source or Donor

Juli England

Acquisition Method

Gift

Made/Created

Date made

circa 1885

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Carl Benz

Notes

Dresden Transportation Museum has a slightly later version of this tricycle and they say it served as the model for Carl Benz's motor car.