Unique bicycle models of the 19th century

Water bikes have been around since the 1800s, some models have unique designs and are even patented.

Georg Pinkert once tested his tricycle prototype across the English Channel. Photo: Smithsonian.

Since the 1800s, people have invented very innovative designs of water bikes, some of which are quite practical, according to Smithsonian. Some designs have even been patented in the US.

The aqua bike has been around since 1868, writes Caroline Rochford, author of “Forgotten Songs and Stories of the Sea.” People reportedly used it for recreation on Lake Enghien, a suburb of Paris.

The vehicle resembles a design patented by Fisher A. Spofford and Matthew Raffington in 1869. It is a kind of bicycle-boat hybrid, which looks like a pedal boat but with a saddle attached.Their design seems quite practical, at least it won't easily topple over as soon as the waves crash.

Fisher A. Spofford and Matthew Raffington's 1869 bicycle-boat design. Photo: Smithsonian.

However, Spofford and Raffington were not the first Americans to follow in the French footsteps in creating an aqua-cycle. The design of an inventor from Boston, USA, was published in Scientific American magazine in April 1869 and praised as "a very neat device".

David J. Farmer, a resident of West Virginia, USA, invented a bicycle that could travel both on land and in water and was granted a patent in July 1869. When moving in water, the rider would balance on three floating buoys arranged similarly to a tricycle and make the bike move by using his hands to control the levers, similar to the way a treadmill that uses both hands and feet is controlled today.

David J. Farmer's bicycle that can go both on land and in the water. Photo: Smithsonian.

In 1869, another unique car model that looked like a small boat was also patented by Lewis Bunn. The front of the car was also quite elaborately decorated.

Lewis Bunn's unique water bike design. Photo: Smithsonian.

Georg Pinkert's 1891 Pinkert Navigating Tricycle used balloon-like tires. He attempted to cross the English Channel in it, according toScientific American.

Georg Pinkert's famous 1891 design for the tricycle. Photo: Smithsonian.

Pinkert pedaled hard, but about halfway there the tide prevented him from completing his goal. Realizing he might be swept out to sea, he hailed a passing boat and was pulled aboard.

Today, one can still find some modern models of water bikes on popular tourist beaches. However, their popularity and convenience still cannot be compared to regular bicycles.

According to VNE