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ca. 1881-1889 American Star Safety
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Description
George Pressey invented the Star Safety in 1880. In an attempt to make a safer bicycle he altered the ordinary's configuration so that the small wheel was now in the front handling the steering, while the rider sat above the rear drive wheel. This helped to combat the tendency of the ordinary to pitch the rider forward, sometimes head-over-heals when encountering an obstacle. This event was known in cycling circles as a "header", a term still used to…
George Pressey invented the Star Safety in 1880. In an attempt to make a safer bicycle he altered the ordinary’s configuration so that the small wheel was now in the front handling the steering, while the rider sat above the rear drive wheel. This helped to combat the tendency of the ordinary to pitch the rider forward, sometimes head-over-heals when encountering an obstacle. This event was known in cycling circles as a “header”, a term still used to this day. However, the small wheel was skittish on loose surfaces such as sand and gravel. According to the original sales material, the Star did have one advantage over the competition; with its ratcheting pedal drive system, a rider could achieve great speed by operating both pedals at once, instead of the alternating method dictated by revolving cranks.
Year:
1885
Make / Manufacturer:
H. B. Smith
Model:
American Star Safey Highwheeler
Location Created:
Smithville, NJ
Donated By:
Mr. and Mrs. Horatio Knight